2021 RETA Breeze March-April

Kids are fantastic at live RETA meetings, I think they could be at virtual events also. Just prior to the pandemic, we had a 9 month old attend one of our meetings. She immediately noticed we didn’t have any toys for her to play with. When I found out…BAMM…Woods coupling to the rescue. But don’t let them teeth on it (long story). But she had a blast rolling it around the floor. It gave her father a chance to attend the meeting, learn, and spend time with his daughter. The strict definition of quality time….. no. But better than “no daddy’s going to get home late tonight”. Virtual is even easier. Teenagers can also be great meeting attendees. Have you ever noticed that when you teach someone something you learn a little more yourself? What a great opportunity to re-enforce what you know by explaining it to the next generation.

It instills work ethic and the thirst for knowledge. All great things for any teenager. Have you ever thought about the number of children who have lost a mother of father who would love to get out of the house for a couple hours and just talk with someone. Imagine the influence that can have on a teenager. If you have a “Little Brother” or Little Sister” take them to a RETA meeting. And if you don’t, please consider it. Most of you will remember a time when teenagers had a fascination with cars. Loud and fast! For the record I was driving a 63 Ford Falcon. Exposure generated passion. I think it was in a recent shade tree article that someone mentioned the number of motorcycle mechanic school ads during a NASCAR race. I don’t know

if there is a drastic shortage of motorcycle mechanics, but I know there is a shortage of refrigeration operators. Let’s encourage them. If taking your daughter, son, cousin, brother-in-law, or little brother to a RETA meeting motivates them, to a career in refrigeration then great. If it just gives you a few more hours with them, that’s pretty great too! Vern M. Sanderson, CRST, RAI, CIRO Wagner-Meinert LLC and the Tex Hildebrand Training Center

18 RETA.com