Steppin’ Out 2026

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 ARTARx Pharmacy opening in Calgary.

Gary Sawatzky has worked in the area of Group Benefits for twenty-nine 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 is a major architect of the unique aspects that make ARTA Benefits the plan of choice for eligible retirees.

Selecting a Personal Representative (commonly known as an Executor) is one of the most important decisions in estate planning. This presentation will explore the critical role of Personal Representatives in Alberta, the responsibilities they carry, and the factors to consider when choosing the right person or entity for the job. Should you rely on family and friends, or consider professional options such as trust companies? We’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each choice, common pitfalls, and practical tips to ensure your estate is managed effectively and according to your wishes.

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

During your working years, accumulating wealth for retirement was an important component of your financial management. Decumulation – how we strategically draw down those investment assets – is equally critical for ensuring a comfortable retirement. Join Tyron to learn tax efficient income planning in retirement. He will also share three steps to family harmony when communicating your legacy plan.

Tyron Kind’s journey to becoming a financial planner developed over many years. Following a career as a small business owner for twenty years, he became first a certified mortgage broker and then a Financial Planner at Sun Life. 

This is an introductory Hatha Chair Yoga session with movements of gentle stretches, deep breathing, relaxation, meditation and limbering of the joints and glands. Using a chair, you will focus on breathing incorporated into the stretches for backs, hips, gluts and abdominal muscles. The chair will also supply support for some balance work. All the muscles of the body will be engaged through this practice, a brief cardio workout and a lengthening stretch. The calming chime bowl will help close the session with meditation to relax your mind. 

Gina has a Certificate in Hatha Yoga Teacher Training from Sunshine Yoga and 200 Hours Meditation, Relaxation and Limbering of the Joints & Glands with the Traditional Hatha Yoga Instruction. Gina has been a Registered Massage Therapist for 20 years, focusing on Seniors care – feet/hand reflexology, hot stones, and aromatherapy.

Time to dust off those boots and join in a beginner line dancing class that will get you shuffling, stomping and having a great time.  This class will be taught at a beginner level and we will take time to review each step before we move on to the dances.

Tarnia Wallace is the 11-year owner of the Twirl Dance Company in Chestermere. She works with the Chestermere Whitecappers Association and teaches a weekly Line Dancing Class to a fabulous group of Seniors.

The links are calling. During this session Colin will focus mainly on warmup exercises, and fundamentals that every golfer can incorporate into their golf game to help ensure they are ready for the 2026 season. Colin’s favourite club is a 60-degree wedge (ask him why) but, for this session, he hopes you can bring a club and recommends a 9 iron.

Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Colin has been involved with Golf since he was 5 years old, although it did take a back seat to hockey and basketball until the age of 16. Wanting to further his career, as well as his knowledge of teaching and coaching, Colin accepted the Assistant professional job at the Glencoe Golf and Country Club and moved to Calgary in December 2019. Colin is passionate about golf instruction and finding ways to improve his students through a philosophical and practical approach.

YES! If you are somewhere between curious and a connoisseur, there will be something for you! All abilities will learn something new during this off-court session. We’ll have fun while refreshing your movement confidence. Join us!

Michelle Falzone is a Kinesiologist and Pickleball Enthusiast and is the Founder of Pivot Your Wellness. She loves helping people to be their fittest selves.

Have you ever eaten a stuffed zucchini blossom? What about lightly charred garlic scapes alongside a perfectly grilled steak? Did you know that all of these are flowers that you can easily grow in your gardening space? Want to know what other flowers you can enjoy in the kitchen? Join Jennifer for a class on everything edible in the world of flowers! Jennifer will review all the perennial and annual flowers that grow easily here in the Calgary area, and the tastiest ways to get them into your belly.

Jennifer Hoglin has been getting her hands dirty in the garden since before she could walk and has been gardening in the Calgary area for over 15 years. She is the owner of Gooseberry Gardens, a gardening website, blog, and landscape design company.  She has a science degree in environmental biology and a diploma in architectural technology and permaculture. The result is a passion for food gardening and garden design.

Calgary gardeners, rejoice! According to Natural Resources Canada, our climate has officially warmed and is now rated as hardiness Zone 4a. But is it really that simple? In a city as geographically large, and topographically diverse as Calgary, microclimates play a crucial role in gardening success. This session will explore what microclimates are, how to identify them in your own yard, how to enhance them, and how to use them to your advantage to grow a healthier, more resilient garden.

Barbara Gowan Mullie holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Botany and Environmental Science, with additional horticultural training through the Calgary Zoo. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in Alberta’s horticultural industry, spanning production, landscaping, and retail.

Discover the research at the intersection of art and mental health with a hands-on sample of the Brain Smoothies method. During this session, Dr. Britt unpacks facts from art education, neuroscience, and psychology to explain the unique relationship between art, brain, and mind. Discover how the brain responds to artistic input, learn tips for relaxing an overworked mind, and explore the distinguishing aspects of flow – the ultimate mental state. Then, get your own taste of the Brain Smoothies method using water and a paintbrush for a secular meditation designed to promote mindfulness, mental resilience, and well-being. No artistic experience required!

Brittany Harker Martin (Dr. Britt) is an Associate Professor of Leadership/Curriculum & Learning at the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education. She is specialized in arts integration with nearly thirty years of experience in K-12 and post-secondary schools.

This presentation will offer a dynamic overview of innovations in aging technology, highlighting the rapidly evolving field of AgeTech, technologies specifically designed to support the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults. While many are familiar with everyday tools like computers and smartphones, this session will delve into technologies that extend far beyond conventional devices. The focus will be on the wide range of solutions designed to help individuals remain safely in their homes as they age, even as they experience changes in mobility, cognition, or physical function. A key portion of the presentation will explore technologies aimed at preserving and restoring function, rather than simply managing decline. One featured example is Neursantys, a wearable therapeutic device designed to restore vestibular system function — the body’s internal balance mechanism. Early results suggest it may significantly improve balance and reduce the risk of falls, making it a promising advancement in fall prevention for older adults.

Jocelyn Rempel is the Chair in Older Adult Health and an Associate Professor at Mount Royal University, where she founded the Centre for Health and Innovation in Aging. Jocelyn is dedicated to bridging the gap between health and innovation through various initiatives. With a background as gerontological nurse and entrepreneur, Jocelyn combines her clinical expertise with business acumen to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing an aging population.

We used to say, ‘you are what you eat’, now our saying is ‘you are what your gut microbiome does with you!’ Your gut microbiome plays an important role in your immunity, your risk of chronic disease, blood sugar management, metabolism and more. Dive into understanding how our gut barrier functions, the role of probiotics, gut health fact and fiction, and easy steps to support your gut health! We will explore how to take care of our microbiome to improve our overall health and wellness. 

Morgan Meneghetti is a registered dietitian who works with all ages and stages to help nutrition feel simpler, personalized, and less overwhelming. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science with a Specialization in Dietetics. She practices across western Canada and the territories, working with patients to better understand their bodies, build sustainable habits, and feel their best- without overhauling everything that makes them unique!

Join Maddie for this “learn and do” style session where participants will be guided through gentle, safe pelvic floor and core exercises, breathing techniques, and posture awareness strategies to support your pelvic health. Attendees will learn how pelvic floor function affects daily movement, bladder health, posture, and overall wellbeing. No advanced fitness level is required, only a willingness to participate and a curiosity to learn something truly valuable for lifelong health.

Maddie earned her Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy in 2004 and subsequently worked in various private clinics and provided home physiotherapy services. She moved to Belgium to further her education, earning a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, focusing on musculoskeletal disorders and manual therapy, from KU Leuven University, where she graduated with great distinction.

For many people, the phone is the primary way to record personal and travel images. Join Reem to learn how to make the most of your phone’s camera and storytelling power for every image you capture. You will learn about adjusting exposure and focus, explore a few different shooting modes, and apply a couple of composition techniques.  

Reem, long interested in photography, opened the Canadian Photography Learning Centre (CPLC) in 2010. This small business offers hands-on photography classes and workshops in a small, personalized setting. Reem is excited to help you turn everyday moments into compelling stories and stunning images. 

This session is an opportunity to increase your peace of mind as you travel.  Join Nathan and Miranda from Beneva for an informative session on the importance of travel insurance for ARTA members. Learn why coverage matters for retirees, highlighting common travel risks and the financial protection insurance provides. Understand the differences between group plans and stand-alone options, and when each makes sense for your needs. They will also discuss how Beneva’s coverage pairs with AXA Assistance’s global support network to keep members safe. Practical tips for planning your trip, understanding exclusions, and navigating emergencies will be shared. Finally, we’ll walk through the process before, during, and after travel, so you can feel confident every step of the way.

Nathan Roeters and Miranda Kroutil, members of Beneva Group Insurance, have extensive experience in the travel insurance industry and are thrilled to share this knowledge with you.

The Camino (the French Way)  is an ancient pilgrimage in Northern Spain that is life changing for many people. The Camino dates back to the 9th century with the discovery of the relics of Saint James. The route became very popular with the release of the 2010 film The Way starring Martin Sheen. The route stretches from San Jean Pied Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain covering a distance of 850 kms. Pilgrims are free to walk as much or as little of the route as they desire.  This presentation will provide practical information on what to pack, when to go, food, accommodation and routing suggestions.  

After retiring, Corrina McClement walked all 850 kms of the Camino in the spring of 2025. It was an amazing experience – spiritually, mentally and physically. Her mission in life now is to encourage as many people as possible to make this pilgrimage.

Help Is on the Way explores the global reality of energy poverty and why access to reliable, affordable energy is foundational to health, education, and economic opportunity. Drawing from the documentary of the same name, the presentation combines firsthand stories from Peru and Northern Canada with expert insights on energy policy and infrastructure. Rather than treating energy as an abstract political debate, the focus is on the human consequences of scarcity: unsafe living conditions, limited medical care, and constrained futures. The talk also examines why energy-rich countries like Canada struggle to translate abundant resources into meaningful solutions. The goal is to encourage thoughtful, informed dialogue grounded in realism, compassion, and human dignity.

Mathew Embry is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker and social impact advocate whose work explores public health, energy, and human resilience. His documentaries include Living Proof, Painkiller: Inside the Opioid Crisis, Global Warning, and most recently Help Is on the Way. He is the President and co-founder of MS Hope, a charitable platform providing free, science-based health and lifestyle information, and the creator of Energy Creates, an educational initiative focused on youth engagement and balanced discussion around energy.

The SAPD (Southern Alberta Pioneers and their Descendants) traces its roots back to the founding of The Calgary Old Timers’ Association in 1901. A group of old-timers who had arrived in Calgary prior to the coming of the railway in 1883 got together to talk of the old days and recognized that with the passing away of the original pioneers, these unique stories should be preserved. The association celebrated its 100th year in 2022 and continues to fulfill its original mandate of “keeping the stories alive” and, through its historical committee, is a vibrant part of the historical community in Calgary.

Being a descendant of three pioneer families arriving in Calgary before 1890, Kathleen Rogers’ favourite childhood times was sitting around the dinner table listening to her dad tell stories of “the Olden Days”. Her family’s stories were intertwined with the early days of Southern Alberta. In 2012, she became President of the Southern Alberta Pioneers and Their Descendants and continues to serve to this day.

Some stories aren’t very long, but that doesn’t mean they’re not important. At this session, Doug will share ten short Calgary tales to make you appreciate our city even more! In his own inimitable way, he brings alive ten aspects of Calgary history that you likely do not know.

Doug Coats is a frequent presenter at “Steppin’ Out”. He is a Native Calgarian who graduated from University of Calgary with Canadian History and Education degrees. He taught junior high Social Studies at Woodman School for 33 years.  Following retirement, Doug worked full time for 9 years at Heritage Park. Retired again, he now has even more time to indulge in his Calgary history hobby.

In a troubled world, we hope to share laughter and joy with our audiences, because we truly believe that laughter is the best medicine. Come enjoy the performance of Acting Our Age, a senior drama group dedicated to bringing the joy of live theatre to you. This session features six delightful comedy sketches specifically chosen for their relatable appeal to seniors. These sketches are perfectly interspersed with live music performed by our talented musician, Slim Chance.

For over eight years, Acting Our Age has brought live theatre to Albertan audiences. They began by writing and performing sketches to address serious topics facing seniors, such as elder abuse and targeted scams. While still honouring that foundation, their mission today is centered on bringing pure joy and laughter to audiences through comedy. The performers are a talented mix of retirees (up to age 86!) —including former teachers, engineers, models, and dentists—who have traded professional careers for their true passion: acting and entertaining!

Would you like to play music as part of a team? Do you have some ability in reading music? Come join this introduction to ringing handbells. Participants will receive instruction on basic bell ringing technique while reading through a small collection of carefully curated handbell music. Attention will be paid to increasing musicality, following direction, and having fun ringing as a team!

Gail O’Neill is a retired administrator from CCSD. She has directed student handbell choirs for 43 years and worked with teachers to improve their own skills in ringing. Presently she is ringing in an advanced group with the Bow River Handbell Musicians Society in Calgary.

Come have fun messing with watercolours and go wild with your background, using various techniques to manipulate textures and pigments. You will learn a step-by-step process to enable you to draw any flower, colour, paint, and experiment with unruly materials that turn out beautiful even if you mess up. Materials will be provided for up to 30 participants.

Leah Kind is a multi-media artist who specializes in water-based media. She has attended Alberta University of the Arts for her drawing degree and is working towards becoming a teacher to share her love of art with others.

Using a Babylock Radiance embroidery machine, this demonstration session will explore the basics of machine embroidery including types of machines, needles, threads, stabilizers, and other equipment needed.  Participants will view how to embroider different types of designs and the possibilities of what can be made including gifts and projects for the home.

Annette is a former University of Saskatchewan Home Economics graduate.  She taught with Rocky View Schools, teaching foods and fashion for her entire career.   She is now retired and loving the world of sewing and embroidery and she looks forward to sharing one of her passions with you.

Story starters are prompts to help generate memories or ideas that might blossom into a story. In this session, participants will have fifteen minutes to work on a common story starter. This may become their opening sentence, be buried in the middle, at the end or it may not appear at all. It is just the match to ignite the flame. An opportunity to share will follow. Join Kathy as she leads you through an exercise often used in her writing group, No Dead Horses. They meet for two hours once a week and laughter often follows the sharing of a one-line story starter that motivates many unique responses.

Kathy Newman, is a retired teacher who loved to write and share stories with her students. Retirement has meant extra time to focus on writing alone and with others in a group.

Discover how artificial intelligence and innovative technologies are reshaping the aging experience. Join Catherine as she explores the latest advancements in age tech. 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 Executive Director of the Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation and Quality.

This session takes an in depth look at inclusive communication. Participants will come away with increased awareness of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing community:  accommodations, cultural impacts, hearing loss, assistive technology and even a basic learning of American Sign Language. Cindy will share information about the programs that support isolated Deaf and Hard of Hearing seniors (55+).

Cindy Fraser is the Deaf Services Director at Deaf and Hear Alberta, as such, she oversees ASL programs and Interpreting Services, ensuring accessibility and support for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. As a deaf individual, Cindy has been deeply engaged with the community for over 25 years. She has served on various boards, including the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. She is currently Vice Chair of the City of Calgary’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility, President of the Alberta Society of the Deafblind, Vice President of the Alberta Association of the Deaf, and a member of both the Disability Employment Awareness Committee and the Alberta Employment First Network.

Take a joyful break with Recess for the Soul – a lighthearted and energizing Laughter Yoga session designed especially for retired teachers.  This interactive experience combines deep breathing, playful laughter exercises, and gentle movement to lift the spirit, calm the mind, and nurture connection.  The session includes: a fun introduction to Laughter Yoga and its science-backed health benefits, gentle stretches and breathing to warm up, a playful inclusive laughter exercise suitable for all abilities, and a calming relaxation and reflection to close.  Participants will leave refreshed, re-energized and reminded that joy, like teaching, has a ripple effect that brightens every life it touches.

With a strong foundation in conflict resolution, business administration and over a decade of supporting people to overcome barriers and reach their goals, Lora Pesant brings both expertise and empathy to her work. Lora is a Certified Training Practitioner, a Certified Mental Health Peer Support Specialist, and Western Canada’s only Laughter Yoga Master Trainer. Her lived experience with anxiety and ADHD fuels her dedication to building supportive environments where well-being is accessible to all.