In November 1968, 32 retired teachers met to sign the Sandusky County Chapter Retired Teachers Association Charter for the formation of a new organization.  The purpose of the SCORTA Chapter of RTA was to improve the economic and social welfare of retired teachers and to provide opportunities for group community work and interests.
    A Sandusky County Chapter RTA constitution and bylaws were formulated.  By 2007, the chapter had 232 members.
    There are four SCORTA meetings a year, but chapter officers are kept busy attending executive sessions and other area, state, and district meetings.  Programs include state and community leaders and members who share their own interesting experiences.
    Speakers on health or insurance have been popular as well as the local police chiefs speaking on home and personal security.  Protection from fraud and panel discussions on pornography were presente989-d.  Music programs funished by the local schools are well received.
     The SCORTA members have given programs on Oberammergau, the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand, Piney Ridge School in Mississippi, Holland, Hawaii, and Alaska.  Others have told about the Olympic Games, life in India, Poland, France, England, Wales, and the Amish School in Wayne County.  There have also been programs on an African safari, a trip to Amsterdam, life in Chili, and scuba diving to find sea treasures.
     Interesting details have been presented on the Lucy Hayes story, historical homes in Fremont, Ohio, Sandusky County geology, and investments and banking.  Ethel Wickert's poetry program presented many laughs, and Helen DeLuca's story on "Mountains to Climb, As Seen by a Dwarf," presented the difficulties in life.  Let's not skip over the "Joys of Retirement."
     SCORTA has received many honors including a 10% membership increase in 1997 and recognition and a banner for fulfilling five Ohio Retired Teachers Association requirements.  In 1983, the chapter received a $25.00 stipend for their Community Participation Project on completing a series of programs at the Senior Center led by Marguerite Giesler, and in 1986 the Chapter received an award for the craft items given to nursing homes.
     In 1978, SCORTA's project was to help with the restoration of the "Little Red School House" at the Ohio Village in Columbus, Ohio.  Helen Hiebel shared her scale model of the one-room school in Riley Township that her brother-in-law, Paul Peffly, had made.  That model is now in the Sandusky County Museum in Fremont, Ohio.  Donations of over $100.00 were made to help with the restoration of the school house in Columbus.
     Another report was about the school the Frank Linder family of Norwalk, Ohio donated.  The one-room school house was from their property.  The bricks were numbered and it was moved to the campus of Bowling Green State University.  The one-room school house was restored as a museum.  Many chapter members have contributed to that project by teaching a part of a day's session as they were taught many years ago.
     Grace Clulow took her fourth grade class to the one-room school house for a day of learning the way it was done in the olden days.  She made use of the dunce stool and the dunce cap.  Her students packed their lunch in round buckets.  She had also provided the students with chalk slates that the students had to share.  Ms. Clulow donated McGuffy Readers for th students to use.  She had received a recitation bench from the city hall and a teacher's desk from the public school.  Many school classes have visited the museum at BGSU.
     Another SCORTA member who also received honors was Howard Nowels.  Mr. Nowels made miniature antique school desks and presented them to ten outgoing SCORTA presidents.
     If you don't know the name of Ruby Criger, you should.  She was chiefly responsible for organizing the SCORTA chapter in 1968.  Ms. Criger was not only a SCORTA charter member, but also a past president and a district director.  At a 1979 State Teachers Retirement System meeting, it was discussed what should be done about the money left over at the end of each year.  The question of increasing the checks was a problem because there could possibly be no surplus in other years.  It was Ruby's suggestion that when a surplus did exist, to send retirees a 13th check in December.
     SCORTA contiues to meet four times a year for luncheon meetings with approximately one hundred members attending.  School music groups present programs, foreign exchange students have spoken, and an elementary school student, whom the organization supported in his travel to Australia spoke.  Area superintendents are invited to the meetings to inform the members about what is happening in their respective school systems.  Biannually, donated items are brought to the meetings for the county's homeless shelter.
     The Chapter supports the young people of the area high schools by annually providing book grants to graduating seniors who are pursuing degrees in education.  Chapter members donate money at the luncheons.  From 2002-2008, 17 book grants totaling $6500 have been given.  In August 2008, the Executive Committee voted to sell Kroger store cards.  Purchases at Kroger stores made with these cards will earn 5% that will be included with members' donations for the book grants.  Marcia Kittel was the driving force behind this worthwhile project.
     In 2007, SCORTA President, Ken Badertscher, apprised the Executive Committee about The Dictionary Project, a national drive providing students with their own personal dictionaries.  The Community Relations Committee, comprised of Linda Ronski, Sue Badertscher, and Elaine Roush solicited funds from various patrons to purchase the dictionaries.  Using these funds in 2008, SCORTA purchased personal dictionaries for all fourth grade students in Sandusky County's public and parochial schools.  Labels listing all contributing patrons were attached to each dictionary.  All fourth grade teachers were presented with a notebook of lesson plans and activities to use with these dictionaries.  This notebook was written by Sue Badertscher, a National Board Certified Teacher.  This will be on ongoing community project.
     SCORTA went online in 2008 with their own website.  Jeanette Gleba currently is responsible for the site's maintenance.
     Very few names have been mentioned and that is intentional.  Many SCORTA members have given undivided attention and time to offices, programs, and projects.  All are proud to be members of SCORTA.  

    SCORTA Charter Members

Hazel Babione                                 
Ruth Ballenger                                
Viola B. Barr
Gertrude Bliss                                                                     
Donna A. Bone                               
Margaret Bowers 
Goldie K. Bowlus                            
Clarence R. Cooper 
Margaret C. Cooper                    
Ruby Criger 
Violetta M. DeGroft                                   
Ruby Engle 
Ethel Garn
Julia Goenawein
Ruth B. Graves
Jennie B. Grey
Waneta Harris
Catherin E. Heal
Orlena M. Hillman
Hilda M. Hofelich
Leonore L. Huntzinger
Josephine E. McCullock
Blanche L. Rathbun
Mary B. Rothacker
Beatrice S. Ruth
Linda S. Schwartz
Kathryn Seager
Anna M. Setzler
Florence K. Shaffer
Elsie B. Tucker
Mary B. Williams
Gladys M. Wood 

     SCORTA Past Presidents

1968-1970 Clarence Cooper                                                     
1971-1972 Beatrice Ruth                                                           
1973-1974 Doyt Shaffer                                                            
1975-1976 Dallas Porter                                                            
1977-1978 Ruby Criger                                                              
1979-1980 Marguerite Giesler 
1981-1982 Jane Perry                                                   
1983-1984 Eunice Rife                                                              
1985-1986 Mary Smart                                                              
1987-1988 Elizabeth Schubach 
1989-1990 Grace Hamilton
1991-1992 Beverly Magsig
1993-1994 Kathleen Giffin
1995-1996 Kathleen Giffin
1997-1998 Richard Dundore
1999-2000 Walter Lamson
2001-2002 Sharon Chambers
2003-2004 Marcia Kittel
2005-2006 Parmelia Boyer
2007-2008 Ken Badertscher
                                                  

Sandusky County Retired Teachers' Association-Serving retired teachers proudly.