History of the Champaign County Retired Teachers Association
This Oct. 8 meeting was chosen to be our 57th anniversary celebration because on Oct. 5 of 1967 the organizational meeting to establish Champaign County Retired Teachers Association was held. Those present were Helen Howard, Cecil Pfaff, Ethel Thornburg, Bessie Thatcher, Phyllis Beath, Constance Layman, Sara Ingram, Mabel Briney, Bessie Reeves, Harry Rice, Florence Brown, Fay Morgan and Dale Heskett.
On Nov. 2, the chapter was organized and officers elected. They were: president, Lewis Prine; vice president, Florence Brown; secretary, Connie Layman; treasurer, Mary Apple. A committee was appointed to draw up a constitution. Dues were set at $1. The constitution was accepted and then amended to include associate members. Twenty-eight members attended. During that first year meetings were held in homes, churches, and restaurants.And it is duly noted that a beautiful cake celebrating the chapter’s first birthday was presented and the group sang “Happy Birthday to Us!”
Through the years there have been many kinds of programs. Meetings would begin with devotions and poems. Members would share about trips, hobbies, and collections. There were visits to Urbana University, Hi-Point Vocational School, Champaign County Historical Society, Lawnview. Speakers included public officials, political candidates, representatives for the library, senior center, county transportation system, the Caring Kitchen, etc. Of course, teachers like to be kept abreast of education, so there were visits from superintendents, music programs by choruses, presentations by active teachers and students and our own members. Representatives of STRS and ORTA have kept us abreast of changes to our pensions and benefits, and of current legislation.
CCRTA has been generous through the years, donating to “Dollars for Scholar,” Urbana University, the medical ship SS Hope and school libraries. In 2001 our scholarship program began. The first recipients were Kristen Brubaker, UHS and Heather Love, MHS. Since that time over $19,000 has been awarded to Champaign County graduating seniors entering education.
On Feb. 8, 2022, the chapter voted to reorganize to being led by an executive committee rather than officers. Recent meetings have been visited by speakers Dr. Sertell, chiropractor, Judy Russell and Judy Taylor, container gardening, Ben Headlee, retirement and investing, Kalen Howell, information on the Black Heritage Festival, Hemisphere Coffee Roasters and the Glen Helen Raptor Center. We have also toured the Gloria Theatre, Urbana Youth Center and the Champaign County Aviation Museum.
It has been people like us, dedicated teachers who became dedicated teacher retirees, who have kept our organization alive. May we continue on to serve our communities, schools and retired educators.
—Submitted by Karen Headlee
