INSPIRED 55+ lifestyle magazine
MAY 2019
SINGER/ SONGWRITER MURRAY MCLAUCHLAN
GIVING BACK IN RETIREMENT THE LYRICAL TALES OF BARBARA ALLYN TRACKING SILVERBACK GORILLAS IN RWANDA
Inspiration for people over 55
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Murray McLauchlan by John Kelly In Search of Silverback Gorillas by Linda Blair Music for Life by Sherry Conly We Can All Be Philanthropists by Martin Donner Where Compassion and Empathy Intersect by John Kelly A Post-Career Gift to Your Community by Joseph Blake Forging a Dichotomous Path by Sherry Conly Reflections on Gardening by Wynne Crombie The Myths & Magic of Donegal County by Kate Robertson Wendy Cohen: One Stride at a Time by Barbara Risto
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55+ lifestyle magazine
Cover MURRAY MCLAUCHLAN He may be a Juno Award winner, Member of the Order of Canada and a Country Music Hall of Famer with eclectic tastes, but we also learned he’s a genuinely nice guy. Photo by Kevin Kelly 4 2
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Publisher Barbara Risto Managing Editor Bobbie Jo Reid editor@seniorlivingmag.com Office Assistant Shannon Nichols 250-479-4705 office@seniorlivingmag.com Advertising Sales Kathie Wagner 250-479-4705 x 103 Head Office 3354 Tennyson Ave., Victoria, BC V8Z 3P6 | 250-479-4705 Subscriptions (12 issues): $33.60 includes GST, S&H. Canadian residents only. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. INSPIRED Magazine is an independent publication and its articles imply no endorsement of any products or services. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for compliance with all copyright laws related to materials they submit for publication. INSPIRED Magazine is distributed free throughout British Columbia by Stratis Publishing Ltd. 12 issues per year. ISSN 2562-1041 (Print) ISSN 2562-105X (Online)
The Gulf War in the early 1990s was followed by the exodus of 1.5 million Iraqi Kurds. Some refugees, including these children, were able to return home within weeks.
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You know the importance of estate planning to make sure your loved ones are taken care of. Did you also know you can make a lasting and significant impact to save and protect the lives of the most vulnerable refugees—and give them the opportunity of a brighter future? Leaving a gift in your Will not only ensures a meaningful legacy but it can also be a highly effective way to reduce estate taxes. There are many options to maximize your gift—all of which have the power to change lives.
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unhcr.ca/legacy For nearly 70 years, UNHCR has been dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees all over the world. With your help, we provide shelter, food, water, medical care and other life-saving assistance. We help safeguard human rights by offering safety, documentation and access to education. And, we develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place INSPIRED | MAY 2019 3 5 to call home and improve their future.
Over his 45-year career, Murray McLauchlan has released 19 albums and been awarded 11 Junos. Photos: Kevin Kelly 6
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MURRAY MCLAUCHLAN FROM A KID FROM THE CITY TO YOU by JOHN KELLY “Would you like to do a piece on Murray McLauchlan?” the editor asked. I couldn’t say ‘sure’ fast enough. I was all set, then my father went and had a heart attack. The nerve of him. The interview, thanks to some fancy footwork from my editor and Murray’s patience, got pushed. Two weeks later, once the surgical dust had settled, he called right on time. All those JUNO awards, Member of The Order of Canada, Country Music Hall of Fame… want to know something about the man, something that speaks even more to his character than the accolades? I picked up the phone. After the requisite pleasantries, the next words out of his mouth were “hey, sorry to hear about your dad. It’s kind of a tough family thing. I hope he’s doing better.’ Man, I thought, that sounded really genuine, heartfelt and supportive. Now listen, I know Canada doesn’t have a monopoly on empathy and compassion, but it was the easy calm and sense of familiarity that made the words sound and feel exquisitely and quintessentially Canadian. They were without pretention, charming and, for this interviewer, disarming. Murray Mclauchlan just may be the archetypal Canadian. Artists get pigeon-holed all the time. I think the public, as consumers of art, likes, nay, needs to be able to define what they’re putting in their ears and eyes. The artist then gets labelled as a producer of only a single type, cast in that mould. It’s fair to neither him nor those that consume his work. For his part, Murray McLauchlan has avoided the label maker. Yes, he’s a Canadian singer-songwriter in
the country, folk and rock genres, but that’s just for the folks with a narrow palate. You know you’re dealing with a deep guy with a broader view when he praises Star Trek: The Next Generation not for Picard’s soothing voice, Data’s unyielding attachment to reason, or even the not-so-subtle sexuality of Troy (that’s what got me hooked), but for that episode where Data recreates Shylock’s court monologue from The Merchant of Venice. Yes Data, if we prick you, you leak. “I have very wide and eclectic taste,” says Murray. “Sometimes my son will turn me on to a song that he really likes. There’s a John Mayer song called ‘In the Blood,’ which is a terrific song. That’s something on one end. My go-to piece when I really need to get my head straight is Debussy’s ‘Claire de Lune.’” John Mayer. Debussy. That’s certainly the beginnings of varied taste. But, hang on, there’s more. “I’m also a big fan of be-bop jazz. I’m a huge fan of singers. I’m almost an addict of Blossom Dearie. Ray Charles is another one of my go-to guys. As long as it’s emotionally moving, I’m in.” I doubt Van Gogh bought a yearly pass to the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo or the one in Amsterdam that bears his name in order to gaze upon his work every day. Murray has a similar appreciation and regard for his art; you’re not likely to find him at home giving Song from the Street repeated spins. “I had to do that a few years back when True North records was putting together a two-CD career compilation. Normally I don’t because when you make something all you ever see are its flaws. It’s disconcerting. It’s enough to make you not want INSPIRED | MAY 2019
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Snapshot with Murray McLauchlan If you were to meet your 20-year-old self, what advice would you give him? “You’re going to really screw up a lot, and you’re going to make a lot of mistakes, but go ahead and make them because that’s what turns you into the person you finally are.” Who or what has influenced you the most and why? “Two teachers. A lady named Doris McCarthy and a fella named Bob Ross (not that Bob Ross). Bob said, ‘there are two kinds of people in this world, one guy is standing in front of his easel, and what’s in his head is a picture of himself drawing, and the other guy is just drawing. What kind are you?’ What Doris told me was ‘any fool can paint a picture. The trick to being an artist is learning how to see.’ Both of those thoughts have had a profound effect on me.” What are you most grateful for? “That’s pretty much a slam dunk. I’m able to uncompromisingly go out and do what I do in the way of carrying my art forward. I’m able to do it in my own country to a very grateful and supportive audience.” What does success mean to you? “Someone asked Clint Eastwood, ‘Clint, you’re 88 years old. What’s your next move?’ And Clint said, ‘I’m going to wake up tomorrow. I’m going to go out and start a new movie.’ The idea that ideas ever stop or that you somehow dry up and blow away at a certain period in your life just doesn’t wash with me. I’ve managed to get where I am... I still feel like I can pretty much hold my head up, and I am who I am without, as John Mayer put it, having to dim the lights.” | 8
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to do it anymore. So, I make a habit of not doing that.” Murray is more inclined to give his more recent efforts a heavier rotation. “To be fair, the last couple of records I’ve made I actually do listen to because I really like them. I think I really got it right, and I can’t find a way to sit down and even have a scotch and go ‘geez, I f&#$ed that up. I wish I’d done it better,” he says. Okay, so maybe Vincent snuck into the museum now and again to peek at Wheatfield with Crows. “But early stuff is sometimes difficult for me to listen to. Sometimes it’s because I remember what was going on when I wrote those songs, you know, and some of it’s a little painful.” When one hears the name Murray McLauchlan, one thinks songwriter, singer. But Murray is also an accomplished painter and pilot. These are avocations for a different tale and a different time. I’m thinking of a children’s book called, The Cockpit and The Palette. Moving on. Murray’s stock in trade are words and melodies, pencil and paper. Like Murray himself, his means to the end have not remained constant. “It’s changed over the years. My methodology changed quite radically when I worked on an album a few years ago called Human Writes. That was when I gave up the idea of a linear narrative. Instead, I began to sit down in what amounted to an isolation circumstance, very quiet, no interruptions… just kind of poked around in my head with a sharp stick, and I would write the first thing that came out, not worry what it was about, not edit it. Things just started to coalesce almost from the middle out, both melodically and lyrically.” Have you ever stood in the kitchen, left the recipe book on the shelf and just started cooking? This is akin to the sort of automatic writing Murray had begun to employ. “I honestly didn’t figure out what
I was writing about until it was done. So, what happened was I got songs that had a very wide range of themes all the way from if there are alternate universes to love songs, but in a very different way, or writing songs about depression. Again, from a new perspective. That was hugely different for me,” says Murray. If the chef analogy didn’t work for you, imagine building without a blueprint. Start swinging a hammer. It’s going to be a clumsy tree house, the Taj Mahal or something in between. Often, Murray’s efforts at “carpentry” ended up less like a clubhouse for the kids in the backyard maple and more like a white marble mausoleum in Agra. The folky kind. You know what I mean. “These days” is a phrase that rings dismissive of them (these days), as though all the noteworthy and remarkable accomplishments are in the rear view. Maybe true for some. Not Murray. He doesn’t just spend his time, let alone kill it. For a musician, time is precious. I know this. I’m always trying to keep from speeding up. Murray seems to use his time wisely, placing it here and putting it there, where it can yield the greatest return. Witness Lunch At Allen’s, Murray’s impromptu act with other Canadian song writing stalwarts Ian Thomas, Marc Jordan and Cindy Church. It began as a lunch and turned into a dinner get-together at one of Murray’s favourite watering holes on Toronto’s Danforth and became a full-on touring band, which hits the road again for dates this October. “We decided we’d be like Crosby, Stills, Nash and a Girl,” jokes Murray. Whether or not anyone is behind the kit, Murray marches to the beat of his own drummer. Wait, that’s not accurate. Rather, Murray strolls to the rhythm and tempo he decides to lay down. “I haven’t had management for years and I think I’m a better person for it. I like running my own business.” That means looking after everything at Locomotion Music Ltd. from dealing with the man, in some cases, the Canada Revenue Agency to liaising with the
tour company Murray uses and all the business minutiae in between. And then he must wear the artist’s hat. “I go to Sony Publishing’s offices, lock myself in a rubber room and I write. I am also involved in a number of different social initiatives including being on the board of directors of a foundation that deals with music care in a number of different contexts: Alzheimer’s and dementia care, of course, and palliative and end-of-life care,” explains Murray. As primary caregiver for a couple of family members, Murray is acutely aware of the need for social enterprises that seek to help. Four years running, he has put together a star-studded show at The Glenn Gould Theatre in Toronto. This year’s Voices That Care Concert, in support of the Room 217 Foundation was proud to include Jann Arden and Murray’s wife, Canadian music industry trailblazer Denise Donlon, and others. In 1972, Murray released “The Farmer’s Song” as a single off his eponymously titled second album. It was a “thank you” to the countless, nameless farmers who get food to our tables. Murray’s involvement with organizations like the Room 217 Foundation is another example of giving back, of putting his time in the places where the dividend is needed, worthwhile and kind. It’s not as much about knowing on which side your bread is buttered as it is simply being grateful for the dairy and the grain, figuratively and literally. Murray gets this. Legacy is a funny notion. It implies a gifting, which, in turn, suggests a departure from those who have chosen
to receive the gift. I think Murray comes at the idea slightly more obliquely. “The only thing I think is important to me is that when I look at my son, he’s proud of me.” Change is the only constant. Hmm, too cliché. Only morphing remains. No, makes me think of mighty teenagers fighting bad guys. For Murray McLauchlan, there are the subtle modifications, the alterations and fine tunings that continue to drive his life’s art and feed his art’s life. For true artists, life and work are fabrics, woven together to become indistinguishable. This is the coat Murray McLauchlan wears. “I’m really very much geared to looking at what the next move is rather than the one that just went by,” he says. Murray is humble, but that humility doesn’t prevent a little bit of pride and the good feelings that accompany it to seep in now and again. “When I walked up on stage with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings at the National Arts Centre and got the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award last May, it didn’t make me feel bad. That’s for sure,” he laughs. “It’s really gratifying to still find that kind of acceptance and be appreciated for your work.” As you read this, Murray is gearing up for his tour of BC in June. No doubt he will be re-inventing himself almost imperceptibly and delivering his gift to the appreciation of his adoring (not too strong a word here) fans. As for my dad, I’m happy to report he is on the mend. | To see Murray in concert, visit www. murraymclauchlan.com/tour-dates
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Murray McLauchlan An Evening In Concert with...
June 7 June 9 June 10 June 12 June 13
Campbell River Duncan Courtenay Nanaimo Victoria
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IN SEARCH OF SILVERBACK GORILLAS by LINDA BLAIR Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills, is surrounded by higher mountain ranges, terraced farmlands and jaw-dropping panoramas. This is where I chose to make the trek to see the endangered Silverback gorillas. The misty volcanic Virunga Mountain range in Rwanda is home to approximately half of the 800–900 rare and endangered Silverback gorillas, with the rest residing in Uganda and the Republic of Congo. With instability in the Congo, I felt the best place for me to see Silverbacks was in Rwanda as I was then travelling to Tanzania. Even though the permits are pricey, I felt it was worth it to see these primates in their natural habitat. Revenue raised by these permits goes towards preserving the endangered gorillas and assisting local communities, so tourist dollars go a long way. I arrived in Kigali, Rwanda where I spent the following two days resting up after an interminable flight from Canada. One of the most moving and powerful points of interest for me in Kigali was a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, which I recommend. After the second day, I was feeling rested, ready and excited to embark on the next step of this adventure. The drive from Kigali to the main base village of Musanze took about two-and-a-half hours, passing banana, coffee and tea plantations along the way. My accommodation 10 8
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was close to the headquarters of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, which is the starting point for all treks. Leaving the safety of my stone and thatched cottage behind, I was feeling excited, exhilarated, nervous and curious about the day and what would unfold before me. Once my permit was verified, and I was placed with a group of seven others, we began what was an easy start through farmland and fields until we reached the lower slopes of the jungle-covered mountain. Looking upward, I wondered how high we would climb before finding the family we were seeking. With adrenaline rushing, I could hardly contain my excitement. Hiking through bamboo forests and thick foliage was, at times, steep, wet and narrow. I climbed over fallen trees and huge stumps, over and around large boulders, and traversed small log bridges, all the
ABOVE | A young Silverback gorilla watches humans with curiosity. Who’s observing whom? PAGE 10 | The author feels she made a connection with the female primate. TOC PAGE | The male gorilla lounges despite visitors. Photos: Linda Blair
while wondering when we would reach the gorillas. With every step and every bead of sweat that trickled down my spine, I was in awe of where I was. I, a 67-year-old grandmother of nine, was on a trek in the volcanic mountains of Rwanda, Africa looking for Silverback gorillas of which I had only ever read about or seen in movies. I could hardly believe I was doing this. Without a doubt, this was an epic adventure like no other! When necessary, the trackers pulled out their machetes to clear the path of wild shoots and vines cascading from tall and overgrown trees or thick underbrush that slowed or hindered our climb. While crawling under and through a thicket, the guide suddenly came to an abrupt halt – the moment had arrived – the gorillas were merely a few feet away from us. Through the thick foliage, I could see one of the juveniles sitting upright on the ground eating something. With feelings of excitement and trepidation at being near such large wild animals that were not behind a protective barrier, I followed with my heart pounding, closely behind my guide. Suddenly, there they were; a large male and female resting together with other smaller juveniles playing close by. Slowly making our way forward, we were finally inside the circle of trees. Being in the presence of the world’s largest primates in their own habitat was surreal, to say the least, and I was totally awestruck by them. For an entire hour, with cameras clicking, quiet whispers and small movements by those of us fortunate enough to be in the presence of these powerful
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creatures, we watched a family interact with each other. They were peaceful and are tolerant of humans, so they did not react or fear us. The babies were as curious about us as we were about them and began climbing and playing in the trees above us, all the while coming ever closer. Two of the older juveniles tumbled and wrestled with each other and a third came rushing past me from behind, brushing against my leg while stepping on my foot as he ran by. I was startled by this and looked to my leader for guidance, but he assured me all was okay. As I was trying to find the right angle to photograph the large female, she suddenly sat up and looked directly at me – eye to eye – and my heart skipped a beat as I stared back into her eyes. I had to put the camera down for a few moments and just watch as I felt I had made a connection with her in that moment. I couldn’t help but wonder what she saw and what was going through her mind. The big male laid almost the entire time stretched out on his stomach while one of the younger ones played on his back. Finally, as we were about to leave, he rolled onto his side, so I was able to capture his face. The hour went by quickly and, too soon, it was time to start our descent. Slowly and quietly we retreated and left the gorillas to their tranquil and beautiful environment. The family group I was privileged to view was the “Agashya” group. I will never forget this experience and highly recommend it to anyone who loves nature, conservation and/or wants to experience something unique. | For IF YOU GO information, visit www. seniorlivingmag.com/articles/silverbackgorillas-rwanda
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MUSIC FOR LIFE by SHERRY CONLY Soft-spoken and friendly, Clive Langley is the selfless sort. Not only does he spend a large portion of the year travelling to Leeds, England to care for his widowed mother, he worked as a crisis line volunteer for several years and is a donor to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Following an adventurous and diverse career in the field of marine inspection/engineering for more than 40 years, Clive is now happiest spending his days honing his skills on the clarinet and classical guitar. Originally from Leeds, he worked all over the world before ultimately settling down in Vancouver. As a radio officer and electronics technician for large vessels, he spent the early years of his career travelling to far flung locales like Malaysia and Japan, where he quickly fell in love with the Japanese language and culture. He even found himself on the frigid waters of the Beaufort Sea, as part of an oil exploration project. Clive worked his way through the ranks of the marine industry, starting out as a young man fresh out of school in the Merchant Navy before sailing with Canadian Pacific Steamships as a radio officer. There, he spent days and weeks aboard massive vessels sailing from port to port, constantly on the move and continuously learning. Following that initial time at sea, he upgraded his education to radio communications officer and worked as a marine technical inspector for Coast Guard and Navy ships. Whether he was repairing incoming vessels, evaluating outgoing vessels or contracting vessel refits, Clive’s attention to detail surely made the harbours and oceans a safer place for all. Before retiring, he worked on contract and had much more free time to enjoy his hobbies. Once fully retired in
2015, he was finally able to travel on his own terms. As soon as he could, he headed for Japan and Thailand, learning the language and absorbing the culture. Clive visited Spain to purchase a new guitar direct from a world-renowned luthier and explored Budapest with a friend who was a music teacher lecturing at one of the universities in the city. They toured the city with a group of friends on a musical-themed adventure, enjoying operas and other performances, never missing an opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the musical culture of Hungary. Music is a large part of Clive’s life, to the point where he practices for upwards of six hours per day and has been playing since his late teens. “That’s my passion, really, and I’m very grateful I have the opportunity to do it. I want to get good, and I hope when I’m no longer travelling to the UK, I can explore more and be more active again,” he says. As a member and donor, Clive is more than happy to contribute to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra because he feels music is an important part of the growth process through the entire lifespan, starting at an early age.
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ABOVE | VSO donor Clive Langley, a guitar player who is learning the clarinet, says music has always been a large part of his life. Photo: Courtesy of Clive Langley
“I think music has a tremendous influence on young minds,” he says. “With the generally accepted benefits of improving concentration and listening skills, music promotes the development of creativity at a very influential time of life, where few alternatives exist – at least in a structured educational environment.” Clive credits music as helping him in two ways: to work and focus on something he thoroughly enjoys; and to experience the social aspect of community events like concerts and recitals. “I’m especially grateful to the VSO School of Music for the quality lessons, flexibility (in light of frequent travel) and the opportunity to practice on site daily,” he says. The school, in return, is grateful for Clive’s contributions, which allow the school to continue to grow and flourish with master classes, recitals and showcase performances at top Vancouver-area venues. Now in its 100th year, the VSO plays for over 250,000 guests each season, and offers bursaries and scholarships to talented youth aged 5-18, who may not otherwise be able to attend lessons. As a long-time study, Clive is confident on guitar, often doing local performances and playing with friends. He is working on getting to the next level on clarinet. “Clarinet is really more of a challenge than any instrument, but it’s like anything: you’ve just got to work at it,” he says. Clive has also enjoyed being part of the Vancouver Classic Guitar Society over the past few years and was a volunteer board member to help keep the society active and moving forward in the community. He volunteered for six years at Chimo Community Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in crisis. He manned the lines on the 24/7 crisis-line program starting in 2004 and spent four years on the phones and another two as a coach, helping volunteers find their footing as trainees. “I had thought about doing that for a long time,” he says. “It was very tough, but very rewarding. It’s kind of nerve wracking when you first start, although there is plenty of training. You’re not there to give advice, but to give empathy and to report any issues that may need to be reported. There’s quite a lot of suicide training as well.” Clive has personal experience with suicide as his sister tragically ended her life when she was 26, and he was 22, but he doesn’t feel that incident is directly related to his desire to help. “Being so distant in the past, I don’t really think this had a significant impact on my decision to volunteer. Instead, I’ve recognized the need to provide phone support with so many people living on their own, who may not have easy access to someone to talk to,” he says. Clive aims to rejoin the crisis-line program when his travel schedule eases and looks forward to once again being able to help those in need of support, encouragement and compassion. He also vows to resume travelling around the world, collecting guitars, learning languages and honing his musical talents. “I wouldn’t want or expect any long-term legacy,” he says. “Except, perhaps, the belief that we all contribute in some way to the benefit of future generations.” |
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WE CAN ALL BE PHILANTHROPISTS by MARTIN DONNER When I was young, I thought a philanthropist was someone who lived in a massive home and had “bags of money” that he or she doled out to have a hospital wing named after him or her. I have learned, however, we can all be philanthropists since a philanthropist is simply a person who cares about others and does something to promote their welfare. Contrary to what many believe, we do not need to be “rich” to be philanthropic. Proof that wealth is not necessary to do something for others can be found in Victor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning in which Frankl talks about how some prisoners at Auschwitz gave away their last pieces of bread to feed those they perceived to be in greater need than themselves. Fourteen-year-old Anne Frank wrote in her diary, “No one ever became poor by giving.” So, I often ask, why is it some people are philanthropic, and others are not? I do not know the answer. However, I do know that those who say they will share what they have when they have more, seldom do. For some people, being caring and compassionate is natural as illustrated by the story of Gandhi when he once was
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boarding a train. Apparently, one of his shoes slipped off and landed on the track just as the train started to move, so he was not able to retrieve it. To the astonishment of his companions, Gandhi calmly took off his other shoe and carefully threw it back along the track, so it landed near the one that had slipped off. In response to the question why he would do that, Gandhi smiled and said, “The poor man who finds the shoe lying on the track will now have a pair he can use.” My parents were not “rich” people. However, in their own way they were philanthropists. In 1956, when I was 10 years old, we took in a refugee who had escaped Communism in what was called the “Hungarian Uprising.” My dad took the time to find our new house-guest a job. I remember also accompanying my mum going door-to-door to raise money for both The March of Dimes (to fight polio) and for the Red Feather Campaign (the forerunner of The United Way). I was fortunate to have my parents as role models when it came to philanthropy. My mum also had the habit of clipping out or writing down inspirational quotes she came across, a habit of hers I adopted. One of the quotes Mum gave me over 50 years ago was from Albert Schweitzer, who said, “I do not know what your destiny will be. But, one thing I do know is that the only ones among you who will truly be happy are those who have sought and found how to help others.” Over 150 years ago, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that if people helped others, they also ended up helping themselves. It turns out Emerson’s conclusion has been scientifically verified. Research into the relationship between money and happiness has found that once people’s basic needs are met, greater income only marginally affects happiness. In particular, the research showed that people are happier overall and have greater self-esteem if they donate money to charity or spend it on others, rather than saving it or spending it on themselves. We can all help others. Some will help by giving a few cans of food to the local foodbank, others by donating money, and still others will help by donating their time or sharing their wisdom by giving to others the benefit of their experience. It is important that those of us who are parents remember that our children are watching and likely will follow what we do. I believe if we want our children and grandchildren to live in a caring and compassionate world, we must be caring and compassionate ourselves. As a former lawyer, I know the meaning of the phrase often found in contracts: “time is of the essence.” We need to have that same sense of urgency about being kind, thoughtful, compassionate and, yes, philanthropic. While I love the thought of Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) that it is never too late to be what we might have been – sadly, sometimes it can be too late. I believe Emerson said it best when he told us, “You can never do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon will be too late.” No matter how you choose to personalize it, let us all be philanthropists! |
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INSPIRED | MAY 2019
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Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Life with blindness isn’t easy. We live in a visual world, and people who are blind must constantly adapt and overcome. Thanks to the CNIB Foundation, they don’t have to do it alone. We give Canadians who are blind the tools, opportunities and training they need to lead full, active lives. Because we believe that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Your will can lead the way for people in your community who are blind. Call Ruth D’Souza at 1-800-563-2642 (7006) or email ruth.dsouza@cnib.ca to learn more about leaving a legacy gift for the CNIB Foundation.
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WHERE COMPASSION AND EMPATHY INTERSECT by JOHN KELLY They say charity begins at home. I’m not so sure. Kent Macaulay grew up on a grain farm in southwestern Saskatchewan. Wholesome. Canadian. Fibrous. Like many, he gave to charities and causes when and where he could. Don’t worry, this isn’t a Frank Capra script. “I had made a number of small donations to a range of health-related and other charities, particularly in response to their direct solicitation. However, I then decided to be more strategic with my giving, proactively deciding which charities to donate to, based on how closely they aligned with my values,” says Kent. This is where Oxfam enters the picture. For Kent, the organization “made the cut, as it gets past addressing only the symptoms of poverty and injustice and addresses the underlying causes of this inequality.” Kent is no stranger to the idea of giving. His eclectic employment background, which includes work as an educator in community college and museum settings, as executive
director of an NGO, and as a servant at the federal level and provincially in Saskatchewan and BC is underscored by the concept of service. Oxfam seemed a natural fit. “My affiliation with Oxfam Canada began in 2005 as a volunteer in Saskatoon with the local Oxfam group’s awareness, education and fundraising activities. From 2007 to 2016, I served on the board of Oxfam Canada, chaired the board’s Policy Committee for most of that time, and was on the board’s
ABOVE | Kent Macaulay sharing Oxfam Canada materials with Quadra Island friends. Photo: Provided by Kent Macaulay
Governance Committee during a major overhaul of the organization’s bylaw and regulations.” Kent isn’t one to testify from the mountaintop about how he contributes. “Overall, I hope that through volunteering my time and contributing financial support, I am, in some measure, modelling the activism needed by citizens in order to make the world more equal and just,” he says. You know who else led by example? Detroit Red Wing legend Gordie Howe. Is it merely a coincidence that both men are from Saskatchewan? Of course, it is. And Kent would never deliver an elbow to help make his case. Kent walks the walk, puts his money where his mouth is – and where he won’t be able to take it with him. When he goes, that is. “When updating my will seven years ago, I decided to leave a legacy gift to Oxfam Canada. For me, it’s quite simple: I want a portion of my estate to go to initiatives that seek to make the world a more equal and just place. My years on the Oxfam Canada board gave me numerous concrete examples of how Oxfam’s assistance to organizations in recipient countries had improved the situation of residents – especially women – frequently empowering them to take greater control in their social relations and their livelihoods.” Thousands of charitable organizations are worthy of your hard-earned dollars. Oxfam, though, may be at the top of the heap in terms of worthiness. Like many other organizations, they seek to alleviate suffering. Where they differ is in their approach. A bandage might stop the bleeding, but Oxfam addresses the source of the hemorrhage. “I was initially attracted to Oxfam because of its fundamental belief that alleviating global poverty can happen only if social and economic justice and equality are strengthened and achieved. I was energized especially by the Oxfam Canada board’s decision to emphasize gender justice to focus its resources and expertise for the greatest impact within Oxfam globally and within the development community overall,” explains Kent. The fix is part of Oxfam Canada’s mandate, just not the quick fix. “If there is a ‘best-kept secret’ in Oxfam’s work, it is that its most enduring work goes beyond providing quick expertise or cash to address a crisis, and fosters resilience, skills and confidence for the longer term. This helps distinguish Oxfam from many aid organizations and provides hope that the world indeed can become a better place,” says Kent. The notion that charity beginning at home seems a little parochial. Maybe, like for Kent Macaulay, charity begins where compassion and empathy intersect with the need for them. That may be home or halfway around the world. Perhaps that very crossroad is in southwestern Saskatchewan. The possibilities, after all, are wide open. |
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A POST-CAREER GIFT TO YOUR COMMUNITY by JOSEPH BLAKE When I took the buy-out from Victoria’s Times Colonist after over two decades as their popular music columnist and later, Go-Explore page and travel writer, I never imagined I’d spend the rest of my life as a volunteer fundraiser and community organizer. I’ve always been a freelance writer – in college a couple times, the old Oak Bay Star, Monday way back when, then, despite my union designation as “permanent part-time,” at the Times Colonist. I’m still freelancing and a regular contributor to several Canadian magazines. For 15 years before my writing career, beginning in 1970, I co-owned and co-managed Victoria’s first organic food store, “earth house hold natural foods” in Oak Bay Village – back when communal capitalism meant communal. So, I’ve always been an independent (no real boss) entrepreneurial, passion-over-profit freelancer. Running a natural food business in those days was a recipe for long hours and low income. Four kids, house building projects, a part-time gardening business, the music-writing life, plus TV and radio bits that sent me out 300 nights one year (my record!), you can see why for three decades I never considered volunteering. After retiring from Victoria’s daily paper, my wife asked if I’d write four columns per year for the Community Association of Oak Bay’s insert in the Oak Bay News. How hard could that be? At one point, I was writing four columns/ week for the Times Colonist. The Community Association board wanted me to come to a meeting and talk about the proposed column. After 20 18
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hearing my ideas, they asked me to join the board. One meeting per month… how hard could that be? Once on the board, I volunteered to co-chair a First Nations art project, a pole Songhees artist Butch Dick designed and his son, Clarence, carved. The pole stands in front of the 2014-built, $55-million Oak Bay Secondary School. After an extensive search for the right 20-foot red cedar log and a carving shed, Clarence Dick began work on Sno’uyutth, the name Butch and Clarence gave the pole. Sno’uyutth means spreading good energy in the Songhees’ Lekwungen language, and it has inspired the last few years of my life. I started making regular visits to the Songhees Wellness Centre, the Songhees reserve lands and Clarence’s carving tent. I’d lived in Victoria for almost 50 years and never knew anything about the Songhees or nearby Esquimalt Nations, except my youngest son’s Bella Bella-born best man. I wasn’t alone in my ignorance. When Clarence came before Oak Bay Council when we were just getting started with the project, he was one of the first Indigenous neighbours to speak in Council in 150 years. Our community learned a lot during the pole project, and Oak Bay Council now has regular meetings with our local First Nations leaders.
ABOVE LEFT | Volunteer Joseph Blake cleans up the beach in his Oak Bay community. ABOVE RIGHT | Pole carver Clarence Dick working on Sno’uyutth, which now stands in front of Oak Bay Secondary School. Photos: Joseph Blake
To launch the $100,000 project, I started using my old music scene contacts to promote benefit concerts at The Oaks Restaurant and Tea Room. Ditza and Nick still give me Saturday nights at their bistro to raise funds for my various causes. During the pole project, the Community Association organized Dutch auctions during the events, and we raised thousands of dollars. We had Blues Night, Country Music Night, Jazz Night, Rock Night and one spectacular First Nations Night with drummers, singers, poets and academics. More importantly than the money raised, the Sno’uyutth energy raised our community’s consciousness. In a year, the Community Association raised almost $100,000, and a huge crowd of Indigenous people and Oak Bay neighbours turned out for the pole raising ceremony in November 2015. With the excess funds from the project, the Community Association launched the Sno’uyutth Legacy Scholarship for Indigenous graduates of Oak Bay High for post-secondary education. My pal, jazz great Joe Coughlin put together an all-star, 18-piece jazz band to celebrate Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday at Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, the new 420-seat venue at Oak Bay High where Joe can drive his wheelchair from the parking lot directly onstage, and all the bathrooms and theatre space is accessible to folks in wheelchairs. Joe sang Frank’s famous songs, and we raised enough money to launch the Sno’uyutth Legacy Scholarship and send our first student to Vancouver Island University. Joe and I followed-up with his Salute to the Saloon Singers concert, and we now have three students in university with Sno’uyutth Legacy Scholarships. One of the lessons I learned during the pole project was that it took almost two centuries of racism to create the problems facing today’s Indigenous survivors and their families. The damage done by the Indian Act and residential schools is multi-generational and will take a long time and much more than words of apology to solve. It will take educated Indigenous leaders to lead Canada to a solution. Sno’uyutth Legacy Scholarship will help. Recently, I launched a memorial scholarship at the University of Victoria for music students in the jazz department in memory of Eric LeBlanc, a friend and 33-year-on-air host at CFUV, UVic’s radio station. Eric produced one of the world’s greatest blues radio shows, and I’ve organized a series of Blues for Eric benefit concerts at The Oaks starring Bill Johnson, David Harris, David Essig, Carol Sokoloff, Deb Rhymer and Children of Celebrities, a band that would have challenged anyone’s definition of the blues, but sold out The Oaks for a night of genre-busting musical fun that Eric would have loved. My goal is to raise $25,000 to establish the scholarship so it can continue as an annual award in Eric’s memory. I never thought I’d spend the last years of my life fundraising and volunteering for community projects. I’ve worked harder than I ever worked during my professional life, and been repaid with great, new friendships and deep love for my community. I’d highly recommend volunteering as a post-career gift to your community and to your own life. Sno’uyutth! | For more information or to contribute to the scholarship, visit https://www.oakbayrotaryfoundation.org/page/sno'uyutth-legacyscholarship.
Your legacy could be their childhood
Amelie, 2
Judah, 2
Ben, 4
Olivia, 7
“We joined the Legacy Circle and included Variety in our will with an estate gift so our legacy can live on through improving the lives of children. There is no greater gift than childhood.” -Bob & Barbara Stewart
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INSPIRED | MAY 2019
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FORGING A DICHOTOMOUS PATH by SHERRY CONLY Barbara Allyn’s widespread legacy as a beacon of light and support to others began on a boat in the Victoria harbour in the 1970s. An unlikely place to launch a career as a trauma counsellor to be sure, but it was soon apparent that her gift for connecting with others and experience at the Victoria YMCA was being wasted sequestered below-decks. As part of the Quest Star Life Discovery Society (now Sail and Life Training Society or SALTS), Barbara was working as the first female deckhand aboard the nowdefunct Robertson II, a 120-foot schooner used as a base for environmental therapy for drug addicted persons and children with learning disabilities. Started by Dr. Philip Ney, “The Robbie” had up to 800 people participate each year from 1974 to 1980 in the sailing program. “We taught them how to sail and to experience a whole different environment off the streets and out of school with hands-on learning,” says Barbara. On the boat, she quickly proved herself by working “three hours harder than anyone else.” Back on land, she went back to work at the YMCA shelter before moving to Toronto, where she worked with at-risk and runaway youth and ran a mediation centre for 15 years, with the goal of reuniting families. FROM YOUTH IN CRISIS TO SESAME STREET During this time and as a young mom, Barbara also had an unexpected star turn. As many parents do, she enjoyed making up silly songs for her daughter. Because she had busked as a guitarist, she had a bit of a musical background to build on to a natural talent for song writing. While participating in a workshop in Victoria, Canada’s “Lullaby Lady” Pat Carfra asked the group to share a song they’d written. Barbara shared her favourite piece called “Everybody Knows I Love My Toes” and, before she knew it, the song was on Carfra’s album Sleepyheads & Out of Beds, produced by Jubilee Records. It was a hit and led to more of Barbara’s music being used on Sesame Street, Treehouse TV, at the Toronto Children’s Festival and more. Music has served as an unconscious escape from the 22 20
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brutality of her day job, and the nature of the music she creates highlights Barbara’s warm soul. She never planned to get into the industry, but the experience snowballed. “I just lucked out, to be honest,” she says. “I had the songs and I’d attract the musicians and the people who could put the music on paper. I got to record in some of the top recording studios in the country with Jackie Richardson, Micah Barnes and, of course, [Canadian jazz legend] John Alcorn.” Now living in Vancouver, Barbara is still collaborating with Alcorn and an impressive roster of musicians, to create a collection of 12 read-and-sing-along books for children. Each book features whimsical characters like Betty the Bike or a Fish Named Thirsty and celebrates musical theory, genres, rhythm and good old-fashioned silliness. The first three books are out now, and the remaining nine books will be available soon. TRIBAL THEORY AND THE TRIBAL CHILD Barbara is also a published author, with her second book nearing completion. The first, titled, The Myth of Your Misfit, was released in late 2017. A practical approach to healing and well-being, it considers Barbara’s Tribal Theory, based on
ABOVE | Author Barbara Allyn is releasing a series of children’s books, each of which will introduce a different musical genre to children by lyric, picture and song. Photo: Judith Laurel Photography
her findings about how to respond to and encourage development of people who fall into one of two broad categories of “homebody” or “hunter.” It also explores the importance of allowing youth and adults to be authentically themselves in a way that still allows for positive integration into society. Barbara’s second book is titled The Tribal Child and will focus on the benefits of Tribal Theory specifically for children. “I bring Tribal Theory to schools and the kids are able to identify immediately which they are. They become a tribe and the kids can help each other to embrace their hunter or homebody tendencies. Tribal Theory is like pulling a thread. Once it begins to unravel, it all becomes so clear,” she adds. Using Tribal Theory, caregivers and children can develop a plan for the kids, such as ensuring that a “homebody” isn’t forced to sit at the front of the class where they will be uneasy and nervous, or making sure that a “hunter” is given space to expend excess energy. Getting to the root of the behaviours of both homebodies and hunters prevents unnecessary medication, punishment and “problem children” labels that can affect the individual far into adulthood and possibly stick for life. HELP FOR HELPERS Building on her focus on trauma as a catalyst for problems down the road, Barbara has begun helping first responders,
INSPIRED | MAY 2019
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who can be deeply affected by traumatic events. “Frontline workers are at risk for depression, social anxiety, substance abuse and suicide. Removing the word disorder from the equation allows individuals to begin to normalize and heal,” she explains. The program helps workers develop the tools needed and learn to use those tools to heal from stressors that cause post-traumatic moral injury (term coined by Barbara to re-classify post-traumatic stress disorder.) “If someone hasn’t healed, whether it’s a frontline worker who has experienced trauma or a senior who was abused as a child, it’s almost always the case that they have a moral injury they haven’t been able to make meaning of,” she says. There are also less obvious frontline workers who experience trauma and stress just as deeply as the typical frontline worker. “Environmentalists and animal rescuers are first responders who are affected by the day-to-day horrors of their work. This is especially so because they have to work at such a level where they’re intuiting the animals, and it’s all sensory,” says Barbara. In February, Barbara held a workshop at the Paws for Hope Foundation in Richmond by presenting “When Helping Hurts: A Spiritual Trauma & Networking Workshop for Animal Welfare Participators and Rescuers.” The one-day workshop provided crucial coping strategies for these rescuers to allow them to continue to provide help for animals in need. Paws for Hope is dedicated to the welfare, care and support of companion animals through various fundraising and advocacy initiatives. Whether it’s writing loveable songs for little ones, counselling at-risk youth and hard-to-house individuals or holding workshops for first responders, Barbara says she wouldn’t change a thing and feels as though she has truly found her calling in life. At sixty, she is happy, settled and immensely proud of her close-knit family and the diverse career path she has forged. |
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HASTA LA PASTA AND OTHER REFLECTIONS ON GARDENING by WYNNE CROMBIE Throughout my many decades of gardening, I have invented methods to put my signature on our little patch of backyard earth. It started back in the forties when I was seven; I planted a tomato seed in the alley behind our house, and up it came. My Croatian grandfather gave me old cigarette butts, swearing tobacco was just the thing to really get it going. It flourished, and I was hooked on gardening. A true gardener must take off the gloves and forget about the fingernails. You are going to get dirty. I work in a little kitchen compost with a trowel and pepper it with Miracle-Gro. I have always liked to bring back seeds from anywhere. Sweet William popped up from Scotland, edelweiss and Alpine Columbine from Interlaken. Can you imagine the excitement that comes from being the only one on your block with the fabled edelweiss? What a disappointment that turned out to be! They wrote a song about this scruffy, off-white furry plant? Unfortunately, the lemon-scented bottlebrush seeds from Sydney died on the kitchen win-
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dowsill, and never made it outside. So much for, Down Under. Speaking of the windowsill, for the true gardening experience, you must be there in the beginning and start your garden by seed indoors. Anyone can buy plants. Your family might complain about your crowded windowsills, but remind them it’s seasonal. I also like to grow something different – just to see if it grows. Some of my winners were “Hasta La Pasta” squash and an unrecognizable parsnip. I am about to try an entity called The Kale Walking Stick. I saw it in a catalogue. It grows 1.8 metres straight up and then explodes into a massive kale plant. It might be a winner. Try a few non-edible plants like gourds. Varnish them and arrange them in a bowl for a great fall centrepiece. Lest your garden be a backyard slam-dunk, we have an en-
PHOTOS | A fragrant garden attracts both friends and foes. Photos: Wynne Crombie
emies list to spice things up. I sort them into three groups: legs with some cognitive powers, mold and disease. In the first category, I place the ferocious bunnies that sit on their hind legs and dare us with their joie-de-vivre demeanor. Their favourite meal consists of hostas and emerging flowers. They have been known to devour carrots to the soil. I like to think the joke’s on them as they leave the best part underground. In the end, I finally bested them by planting my lettuce in a hanging basket. I have trouble with mold attacking my zinnias, and any vine vegetable. I fight this by buying treated seeds (with who knows what) and spacing out the zinnias. Disease turns my beans into lace. Haven’t figured this one out yet. Let the children and grandchildren help with “their garden.” What is more fun than two-metre sunflowers and huge pumpkins? I like to let in a little whimsy with leprechauns and gnomes… especially the solar-powered ones. The kids love the watermelons; never mind that they are totally white inside. Don’t tidy up the garden for winter. Leave some of these dying plants to reseed in the fall. An errant cosmos can add a dollop of colour to any greenery. Marigolds, asters and snapdragons are some of the gems that reseed themselves. I love to watch the spring parade of perennials: crocuses, daffodils, tulips, iris and lilies. Like contestants in a beauty contest, they march in one after the other. Herb plants can be stuck anywhere. Beware: mint and lemon balm can take over your garden. Lavender, thyme and lemon balm come up year after year, while basil and rosemary are annuals in many areas. I had a low Japanese maple with herb plantings underneath – green against the red. Alas, it did not survive the winter. It pays to take extra time to plant a variety of pots. When things die out in the garden – and they will – a pot of petunias or geraniums fills in instantly. Last year my grown children gave me a pond. Its adjustable fountain completes my garden triad: sight, smell and sound. Finally, don’t keep colouring within the lines. Nature doesn’t. |
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THE MYTHS AND MAGIC OF DONEGAL COUNTY by KATE ROBERTSON “Those are fairy trees,” says Rob Rankin, owner of Vagabond Tours, as he points at a hawthorn tree, “they bring luck and, even today, farmers plow around them so as not to disturb them.” As we continue to wind our way along higgledy piggledy backroads, lined with privet hedges, Rankin regales us with more Irish legends. The Irish, I learn, take their folktales seriously. I’m on a road trip through Donegal County, the most rugged in Ireland, and the northern part of the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,600-kilometre coastal route that winds its way from the south of Ireland all the way to the north, past hidden beaches and enchanting villages. Because it’s so remote, even for the Irish, in Donegal County the Irish language has been preserved and old traditions – like handwoven tweeds, thatched-roof houses, horse farms and the art of the old Irish pub – still thrive. Our first stop is a visit to the 15th century Donegal castle, built on the banks of the River Eske by Chieftain O’Donnell. Our tour guide, Christina, in her lilting Irish accent, gives us the low down on the history and the lovely period furnishings, then explains the fireplace is the best example of the Jacobean-period style in all of Ireland. She also fills us in on the battles fought here over the years amongst the Irish and against the British rule – the centuries’ old battle that has plagued this country for years. I can’t help but wonder what these cold stone walls would say if they could talk. As we head further north along the narrow coastline 28 26
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road, around hair-pin turns up rolling mountains, through the misty moorlands of Granny’s Pass, where they still mine peat bricks for fuel, Rankin fills us in on more Irish fairies, the grogochs, well known in these northern parts. “These half man, half fairy creatures are covered in orange hair and run around naked. The grogoch’s helpful and friendly, but he’s really clumsy and can get in the way,” says Rankin as he drives, “like when you’re hammering and hit your finger – that was grogoch trying to be helpful.” (Hey, I think we may have these guys in Canada too, no?) During my visit, I learn well about the rain that keeps Ireland its unique emerald colour, but nowhere is it raining harder than at Sliabh League, one of the most iconic points on the Wild Atlantic Way.
ABOVE | Glenveagh Castle, a hauntingly beautiful 19th century highland mansion. RIGHT | The wild and majestic Sliabh League with its 600-metre cliffs, the highest in Ireland. TOC PAGE | Donegal Castle, the county’s namesake. Photos: Kate Robertson
At 600 metres, these are Ireland’s highest sea cliffs – once considered a sacred spot and part of a Christian pilgrimage trail. I brave the gale force winds to hike to the top of the cliffs, where the first peep from beneath my raincoat hood at the misty panoramic view of the rugged Atlantic, nearby Sligo Mountains, and Donegal Bay makes me forget it’s storming. Down the road at Glencolmcille Folk Village, a thatched-roof village with a reconstructed schoolhouse, fisherman’s dwelling, and 18th, 19th and 20th century replica houses, we tour historical dwellings furnished with artifacts from each of those time periods. In houses like this, regular folks would have eaten their haddock and cheddar mash off treasured china plates and laid their heads on the hard, straw pillows at night, nervously waiting to hear the high-pitched wail of the banshee that Rankin has told us about – a female fairy who wails to warn of an
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Can You Please Help? imminent death of a family member. Or maybe slept with one eye open to avoid a visit from the changeling, the jealous fairy who will swap your newborn for their own – magical explanations that helped make sense of the complications and hardships of life.
Critter Care Wildlife Society provides short and long-term care to native mammal species and, through rehabilitation and public education, helps prevent suffering of injured and orphaned wildlife.
Critter Care Wildlife Society 481 216th Street | Langley, B.C. V2Z 1R6 INSPIRED | MAY 2019
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As the sun peeks out the next day, en route to Glenveagh National Park, we pass copious lough signs, and cute woolly sheep that watch us disinterestedly while they munch the greenest grass I’ve ever seen. An outdoor lover’s paradise, this 16,000-hectare rugged-mountain park is filled with woodland trails, lakes and waterfalls. But the real gem for me is the hauntingly beautiful 19th century highland mansion (think Wuthering Heights), Glenveagh Castle, located on the shores of Lough Veagh. This castle has a sordid past (its founder Captain Adair supposedly cruelly evicted tenants of the land when he was building this hunting estate, and it’s said there was a curse put on the castle), but today contains room-after-room of elegant furnishings, and the extensive landscaped gardens are meticulous. Of course, no trip to Ireland would be complete without a Guinness, so I order a pint when we stop down the road at one of the county’s oldest pubs. Established in 1768, the Olde Glen Bar is filled with antiques, old Guinness signs, and a peat brick fireplace; little has changed from the day it opened, except for electricity and indoor plumbing. The bartender tells us that Guinness tastes different in every pub and, supposedly, it’s best right around the corner from the factory in Dublin. But as I sip the rich, creamy brew, I think it couldn’t get much better, and I understand why it’s remained Ireland’s most popular beverage through the centuries.
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Finally, we hit the end of the road and most northerly destination on the Wild Atlantic Way, and all of Ireland, Malin Head. It’s not hard to see why this mystical location where the wild Atlantic pounds relentlessly into shore is a popular setting for productions like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Game of Thrones. I’d just learned the day before about my favourite mythical character, Finn McCool, often depicted as a muscled giant with flowing red hair, wearing only a kilt. (I get the sense that Finn might be Rankin’s favourite as well as, with a twinkle in his eye, he’d passionately shared legend-after-legend about this much-revered Irish giant with supernatural abilities). Finn McCool is said to have built the Giant’s Causeway, not far to the east, but I’m sure he must have had something to do with the intricate, other-worldly rock formations here at Malin Head as well. Locals say Donegal County is one of the country’s bestkept secrets. But there are others who are catching on to this enchanting county – in 2017, it was voted No. 1 on National Geographic’s Cool List. Cool, I agree, but also magical. Nowhere have I found people so connected to their myths and legends, which, via storytelling, keeps the flow of their culture through the generations. | For IF YOU GO information, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/ donegal-magic
CHAMPIONS WANTED
Alberni Inlet & Pacific Nat’l Park
June 11-13, 2019 | 3 Days Ferries, ships and coaching are in store on this tour over to the West Coast of Vancouver Isl. Scenic boat tour from Port Alberni to Ucluelet on the MV Francis Barclay. Pacific Rim Nat’l Park, MacMillan Cathedral Grove and Coombs Market. $875 Cdn pp Dble occ. Plus GST.
Oregon Coast
June 23-27, 2019 | 5 Days Visit the spectacular Rose Test Gardens in Portland. Included highlights; Ocean front rooms, Evergreen Aviation and Space Museums, home to Howard Hughs’ Spruce Goose, Ride a specialized giant dune buggy and tour the Tillamook Cheese Factory. $1155 Cdn pp Dble occ. No GST
Leave a Legacy for BC Children and Families Leaving a gift in your will to Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon will provide accommodation and support for 2,000 families with seriously ill children each year at our 73 room house.
Olympic Peninsula & Washington Coastline July 21-24, 2019 | 4 Days Join us as we explore the temperate Hoh Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park and the West coast of Washington. Discover Port Townsend, the Olympic Game Farm, Astoria Column and the Norwegian town of Paulsbo. $1,095 Cdn pp dble occ. No GST.
DOOR-TO-DOOR PICK UP AND RETURN WITHIN THE LOWER MAINLAND CALL FOR YOUR 2019 BROCHURE TRAVEL PROTECTION BOB & TERESA MARSHALL
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Contact us for information: 604-736-2957 plannedgiving@rmhbc.ca www.rmhbc.ca
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We provide “Personalized” services, for your “Specific” needs. Our Services Include: Companionship Door to door transportation for all Appointments Shopping and Errand Running In Home Services: Organizing, Ironing, Fridge Cleaning, Bed-Changing, Laundry Paperwork: Filing, Mail, Paying Bills, Arranging Papers
With your gift, you’re helping kids like Lucy have access to the health care they need.
Make a Testament to your Faith Focusing on the future together with The United Church of Canada Having wisely stewarded your resources, you’re now seeking to invest in your church long after you’re gone. Please know that we offer a full spectrum of planned giving opportunities that will enable you to fulfill your philanthropic goals and support the ongoing work of your beloved church. —————
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Island kid Lucy, Victoria
Leave a gift in your will and be a champion for the health of Island families for years to come. Contact Jessica Bell at legacy@islandkidsfirst.com or 250-940-4950 to start a conversation.
formerly
INSPIRED | MAY 2019
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AN INSPIRED MAKEOVER by INSPIRED STAFF Joan Thompson has a long road ahead – 8,000km long! The retired music teacher, writer, keen traveller and dedicated volunteer will be hitting the road this month to cycle across Canada to raise awareness and funds for Ovarian Cancer research and treatment. Joan’s epic journey is dedicated to the memory of her younger sister, Sheila Rae, but Joan is no stranger to an active lifestyle – or volunteering. “Feeling so fortunate to have had the advantages of living in Canada, charity and volunteer work – usually in the form of teaching – have been central to my life in retirement,” she says. “This has included helping with refugees on the Greek islands, and volunteer teaching in Bhutan with the Bhutan Canada 32 30
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Foundation. This summer, I turn my charity work to Canada. It will be a great way to reacquaint myself with my native country and help others in the process.” The last few years have seen Joan and her partner overseas, exploring lands as diverse as Honduras and South Africa, Turkey and Tajikistan. “Knowing I can linger longer where I go, my boots and bike have become favourite modes of transportation,” says Joan. “Walking a 1,000-kilometre-long trail, such as the Camino Mozarabe in Spain, is now an achievable goal!” As a lifelong learner, Joan enjoys the time now to develop new interests and skills such as sailing, mosaic art, foreign languages, and literature. Pursuing writing has led to a few published articles (like those you have read in INSPIRED Magazine) and a desire to become a more informed freelancer. “A return to ‘school’ to explore world history and journalism is bookmarked for 2020 to help me in this journey.” Joan indicated an interest in the makeover contest as she had had two challenging years as a family caregiver, experiencing the loss of her parents and Sheila Rae. “I was looking for positive directions ahead for 2019,” she says. “I enjoyed the makeover experience and appreciated that the whole process was organized. It was fun, indulgent and I enjoyed the spotlight. My favourite part was, without question, meeting my cohorts, and Barbara Risto and the team responsible for our makeover.” Since Joan’s self-care usually consists of daily exercise and lots of fruits and vegetables in her diet, doing a makeover was an out-of-the-box experience for her. “It felt like a stand-in for the wedding prep I, as an unmarried woman, never had. I would highly recommend the experience to others – it’s a golden opportunity to spoil yourself!” To follow Joan’s cross-country journey to shine a light on the need for Awareness, Research and Treatment in support of Ovarian Cancer Canada, visit justgojo.com/ovarian-cancer-ride or on Facebook: @OvarianCancerRide.
WHAT THE STYLIST DID HAIR: For Joan, my central focus was updating her look by giving her hair a more natural colour. I also wanted to calm the gold tones. I decided to go with a look that is trending right now – the long bob – with slight layers to add movement and bring out some of the natural curls in Joan’s hair. I applied the drop-root technique, which gives it a little bit more natural shadowing on the root. I used neutral blondes. Then I did some balayage highlights more concentrated around her face to brighten it up. In every layer of colour, I added the pH Bonder system by Redken to make sure Joan’s hair was strong and healthy throughout the colouring process. I finished off with a beautiful colour gloss called Shades EQ. Her hair was styled with the Aerate 08 All-Over Bodifying Cream Mousse to add a good amount of hold and then I used the Pillow Proof Blow Dry Primer for the heat protectant. All the products I used are from Redken. MAKEUP: For the makeup, I started off with a skin smoothing primer. I did a slightly smoky eye and added some false lashes to draw attention to Joan’s beautiful eye colour. Everything I used on her face – from concealer to blush – was all cream and more of a matte finish because as we age, powder can fall into fine lines. With the eyeshadow, I also used a matte finish. Mature women should stay away from shine and sparkles because, again, they accentuate fine lines. For Joan’s lips, I used a neutral gloss to finish off her look. | Special thanks to the entire INSPIRED Makeover team: Hair Stylist – Hana Akai of Akai Hair Design 2559 Quadra St. Call Hana for details about hair and makeup 250-383-3227. Visit online at www.akaihairdesign.com. Hana is an educator for Redken; all the hair products were sponsored by Redken 5th Ave. Makeup provided by London Drugs, Yates Street, Victoria. Facial and nails: Shimmer Body & Nail Spa. After makeover photo taken by Regina Akhankina. For more information, www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/makeover-may19
WENDY COHEN: ONE STRIDE AT A TIME by BARBARA RISTO Wendy Cohen is proof it’s never too late to start running. As the Frontrunners Run Clinic Coordinator, her passion for the sport and for getting everyone involved is infectious. She gathers joy in life from helping others build healthy fitness habits, one stride at a time. Each year, Wendy plunges headlong into helping people prepare for the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon, held on Thanksgiving weekend. With an 8K walk/run course, and a Half or Full Marathon, you can choose the event most suited to your fitness goals and abilities. The Frontrunners training clinics Wendy coordinates are designed to help experienced runners improve their performance, and to help newbies get started. Starting slow and building your stamina and pace are key elements to running injury free, especially if you haven’t run in a while. It doesn’t take long for your body to respond and with a progressive program, you’ll find yourself at the start line on October 13th, prepped and ready to go! Wendy started running 23 years ago at the age of 40, when her father put a family team together for the Klondike Road Relay from Skagway, Alaska to Whitehorse. Wendy had the last 14 km leg and nine months to get ready. “I had not run before, so out the door I headed – walk one block, run one block until I could run the 14 km. I loved it and have run at least 4-5 times a week since.” “I love running for all it brings to my life – the community, friendships, the physical challenges, the chance to do something for myself, being outdoors, and the opportunity to share my love of it with others.” Wendy enjoys working with people of all ages and has witnessed the life-enhancing benefits for those 55+. “One of our runners just had major surgery and came through it very well. He is 68 and his surgeon credits his recovery to his good health. He started running in his 60s.” “Don’t hesitate to start,” says Wendy. “You will find a supportive, fun community. Participants are given a training plan to follow – all the thinking of what and how much to run will be done for you in a methodical and research-based manner, allowing you to gradually build your mileage. You will discover
all sorts of new running routes in our region. There will be goodies, a shirt, laughter and shared commiseration.” The clinics are a mix of ages. Participants are matched according to experience and ability. A well-structured clinic offers an opportunity to reach your goals injury-free. Here’s a few tips for people over 55 who want to get started running: 1. Visit your doctor to discuss whether running is right for you. Some chronic conditions may make walking or cycling a better choice. 2. Warm up well before you run. Specific stretches like lunges, arm circles or leg swings will increase range of motion and decrease the risk of injury. 3. Start slow with a mix of walk/run. Try jogging for 30 seconds and walking for a minute for 15 minutes. Gradually increase the amount of jogging and the number of repeats. Aim to run two to four times a week. 4. Visit a running store for specialized footwear. Every foot is different. You need to have a shoe that works for your foot type and gait. 5. Adding a gym session two to three times a week to maintain or increase muscle mass is important after age 40. Working on calf, core and gluteal muscles will greatly decrease the possibility of injury. 6. Adjust your goals to match your ability and age. You don’t need to “kill it.” Run to have fun and enjoy life. For more information, visit www.runvictoriamarathon.com or www.runvictoriamarathon.com/get-prepared
Victoria BC, Canada
Marathon Half Marathon 8K Turkey TrotNEW Thrifty Foods Kids Run October 13, 2019
Runners and Walkers Welcome! Find a shoe that fits and training that gets you to the finish line at
Register Now - RunVictoriaMarathon.com INSPIRED | MAY 2019
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CHOOSE FRESH FRUIT FOR DESSERT One of the best health-boosting habits is cutting back on rich desserts. If you are a frequent dessert-eater, particularly if you prefer those decadent, fat and sugar-rich desserts, try omitting them for a week. Instead, enjoy a serving of fresh fruit. You may develop a new habit or find it’s easy to cut back on the old one. Fruit is delicious. And there’s so many to choose from! A fresh apple or pear can be an enjoyable dessert, especially for those lazy cooks who appreciate “quick and simple.” Arranging several kinds of colourful fruits on a platter for family or dinner guests couldn’t be easier. Cutup fruit pieces served in a large bowl (a fruit salad) can be accompanied with smaller bowls of healthy “sprinkles” as optional toppings: nuts or seeds, ground flax or chia seeds, shredded coconut or cinnamon. For those who are more artistic and have more time, surf the internet to find lots of creative ways to prepare and serve fresh fruit: there are unique watermelon carvings, arrangements with pineapples, or scooped-out cantaloupe shells filled with fruit chunks. You can even make a “cake”
INSPIRED 55+ Travel Club Meet other 55+ travellers in Victoria Exchange travel experiences Sample foods from around the world Win prizes • Find travel buddies Be first to know about planned trips and special travel discounts
Be part of our first Travel Club Event! Wednesday, May 22 • 7-9pm Berwick Royal Oak, 4680 Elk Lake Dr., Victoria BC
RECEPTION 7pm Sample tasty appetizers prepared by Berwick’s chef to complement the evening presentations. Browse travel exhibits. Meet event hosts & fellow travellers.
PRESENTATIONS 7:30pm “Autumn in Quebec/Ontario - Mile Zero Tours “La Belle Seine River Cruise” - Collette “Panama Canal Cruise” - Pitmar Tours
RSVP is required before MAY 8, 2019 To reserve your seat, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/travelclub
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HOSTED BY
INSPIRED magazine
by EVE LEES
FOREVER FIT using large cuts of watermelon or other melon as the “layers” of the cake. Top and surround the layers with whole or cut assorted fruit, like strawberries and kiwi. Try to keep the dessert JUST fruit – avoid additions like caramel sauce, whipping cream or powdered sugar. And if you serve yogurt with the fruit, opt for plain, unflavoured yogurt. Fruit-added yogurts always have sugar or artificial sweetener added, so try to avoid those. Fruit is sweet enough. Adding table sugar and even honey, stevia or agave nectar are overkill and unnecessary. Here are some tips when eating out: At the restaurant, skip the dessert menu. Ask if they have fresh fruit (likely not, but it doesn’t hurt to ask). If not, have fresh fruit afterwards at home. If friends or family invite you for dinner, ask if you can supply dessert: bring a fruit platter, a watermelon or a box of mandarin oranges. If you are serious about cutting back, you can also choose to explain you are trying to skip traditional desserts for a short time. Hopefully, they’ll be supportive of your “experiment.” Maybe they’ll decide to serve you fresh fruit! And if not, you can still choose to say “no” and enjoy a warm beverage while they have their dessert. Your body will thank you when you more often choose a small serving of fresh fruit as dessert, instead of a fat-rich and sugar-filled cake or pie – not to mention the unnatural preservatives added to commercially-prepared desserts. Eating fruit as dessert may leave you feeling more energetic, as opposed to the lethargy we can experience after a large meal followed by a rich dessert. Perhaps you’ll even feel like taking an evening stroll! | Eve Lees has been active in the health & fitness industry since 1979. Currently, she is a Freelance Health Writer for several publications and speaks to business and private groups on various health topics. www.artnews-healthnews.com
OT O B RE by VERENA FOXX ROD MACLEAN volunteers once a week conducting sing-along and cartoon sketching sessions at his Vancouver neighbourhood elementary school in False Creek. He first engages students with his voice and guitar and then walks them through simple hands-on cartooning techniques. “Kids love to sing, and they love to draw, and they love cartoons,” says the former BC school teacher and administrator. The Horseshoe Bay native has been cartooning since childhood but honed his focus after he retired. Armed with many years of observing school culture at all levels, Rod finally got serious about selling single-panels of his accumulated “Just Kidding” cartoons. Educational magazines, textbook publishers and related educational organizations quickly bought them up. More than 600 cartoons later, Rod turned to writing and illustrating children’s books that focused on growing up in the adventurous freedom of his small ocean town.
The “Wharf Rats” was the first in a series of five. “The students are my best and most enthusiastic advisers and critics, and they are my staunchest supporters,” he says. Rod hopes that through his work he also inspires them to pursue their own expression through art, music and literature. ALISON REID’s debut novel, A Man for the Summer, is due to be published in June under her nom-de-plume, Allys Reid. Of Scottish heritage, the Winnipeg native and her husband, after a stint in Toronto, ultimately decided to raise their family in the milder Richmond climate. After the children were grown and gone and she wrapped up her career as the west coast sales rep for Enfamil Baby Formula, Alison said she initially started writing as an exercise while her husband was penning his fifth murder mystery. She says she’s taken small nuggets from her own experiences and from those of her friends and worked them into a storyline injected with humour. “I’m interested in how, when people get stuck in their lives, they put it all back together again.” While she’s waiting for her inaugural book launch, she is already imagining her next tome, which will focus on life issues that today’s “mature” women face, told with a twist of fun. |
LET ART INSPIRE OTHERS AS IT HAS INSPIRED YOU.
Share your passion for art with future generations by making a legacy gift to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. For more info contact: Megan Landels at mlandels@aggv.ca or 250-384-4171 ext. 227
aggv.ca UNTITLED-ABSTRACT (DETAIL) | CEL OVERGERGHE (BELGIAN, B. 1937) | ACRYLIC, 119.9 X 119.7 CM | GIFT OF DR. MARCEL VAN JOLE | 1984.032.003
INSPIRED | MAY 2019
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Marketplace COLLECTOR SEEKING vintage/collectable cameras, binoculars and microscopes. Nikon, Leica, Contax, Rolleiflex, Zeiss, Canon, etc. Mike 250-383-6456 or e-mail: msymons6456@telus.net Victoria MATURE, PROFESSIONAL FEMALE HOMEOWNER from the island will house
and/or pet sit for 5 or 6 months, North or West Vancouver beginning July 15 2019. West Van references. lmacl@shaw.ca
WANTED: OLD POSTCARDS, old photographs, and pre-1950 stamped envelopes. Also buying old coins, medals and badges. Please call Michael 250-6529412 or email fenian@shaw.ca EVER CONSIDER MOVING TO AFFORDABLE SOUTHERN ONTARIO?
Please contact Robert Tatomir, Broker: Future Homes & Real Estate. 1-800677-5810; robert@future-homes.com; www.future-homes.com.
CHANGING PLACES Downsizing and relocation specialists SINCE 1991. Moving? Aging in place? Need help? Don’t know where to start? Let us take care of all the details from start to finish. Call Jane 250-721-4490 Victoria and the Island for a free estimate www.changingplaces.ca FOOTCARE: Happy, Healthy Feet make
Happy, Healthy People. The more the merrier. Call FootNurse Marcia R.N.,B.Sc.N. 250-686-3081.
WANTED: Old stereo/audio equipment. Any condition. Amplifiers, turntables, speakers, receivers etc. Honest/friendly. Victoria and V.I. Call Bob, 250-896-2268, northtowns26@gmail.com SENSUAL MASSAGE. Are you miss-
DOWNSIZING?
WANTED Danish Mid-Century Furniture from the 50’s & 60’s. Teak & rosewood, pieces any condition. Wanted records & LPs - jazz, blues, classic rock. 250-3807022. lacknerwayne@gmail.com
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UPCOMING EVENTS May 1 - Quality Foods May 8 - Quality Foods May 15 - The Kensingon ($5) May 22 - Amica at the Gorge May 29 - Jonathan's Restaurant
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To Move or Not to Move? A Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residential Options
This 128 page book provides helpful, easy to read information and suggestions to help BC seniors and their families under- To Move or Not to Move? stand the decisions they need to make. Whether you decide to stay in your home or move, this book will help you navigate to where O N.L0Y0 you want to be. $5 ING Are you a senior who has been wondering lately whether you should consider moving? Perhaps the maintenance current home is more of your difficult due to diminishing ability or energy. Or you may want a lifestyle that allows you more freedom and less responsibility . In either case, this book you ask the important will help questions and find the solution that is right for you.
For some, the right decision might be to stay right where downsize your possessions you are, but and look at acquiring support services to fill whatever need arises — such as help with shopping, meals, household chores, preparing personal care, or getting around. Others may determine the responsibility of looking after their current residence is too great and they would like to move to a place where they still have a high degree of independence but access to staff to take care of the things that are proving to be a bit of a headache. There are also those whose health and safety is enough of a concern to them that they want to live in a place with all the supports and services necessary to give them the peace of mind they are currently lacking.
How to manage any of these scenarios, is what this book offers. It will give you insight into each option, the pros and cons to expect, and how to navigate the process of going from where you are now, to where you want to be.
For seniors, or families of seniors, this book is the ideal place to start asking the questions and discovering the answers.
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Dream Downsizing can take the stress out of a move. Sorting, packing, unpacking, advising, and more. Free estimate call Lucy 250-634-3207. Or visit us online at DreamDownsizing.com BBB
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ALWAYS GREAT FEET. Nanaimo’s professional mobile foot care nurses. Debbie Mason LPN and John Patterson LPN. Home, facility, and hospital visits. Experienced, qualified nursing foot care for toenails, corns, calluses and ingrown nails. Direct billing for DVA clients. Call 250-390-9266.
To Move or Not to Move?
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CORNERSTONE SENIORS ADVOCACY
Assisting Seniors through life’s changes. Specializing in Transitional Moves, Downsizing, Estate Clear Out & Sale of Assets. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 250.858.8560 www.cornerstoneadvocacy.com
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SORRY, NOT SORRY “You must be Canadian,” I often comment laughingly when someone apologizes for what doesn’t seem to need an apology. As Canadians, we have a chronic need to apologize “all the time.” Due to the number of times I have playfully said this lately, some people have gotten upset with me. “Of course, I’m Canadian, can’t you tell from my accent?” Or simply a look that says “What?” Most of the time, however, my comment in jest will get either laughter or another “sorry.” So, I decided to do some research into this phenomenon. Our custom of apologizing more than average has yielded some beneficial results. We are known as one of the friendliest countries in the world. But not the friendliest – we come in at No. 10, which is pretty good out of 195. Portugal is No. 1. Also, apologizing is disarming and minimizes conflict. It indicates to the person you may have unintentionally crossed that you are not a threat. For others, it’s simply habit, but I can think of worse habits. If you know of other benefits, please share them. As I speak to people – in the grocery store, in restaurants, wherever I happen to be day to day – the subject comes up and everyone has a tale to tell. A fellow called me on it when I light-heartedly commented on his apology for reaching in front of me in the produce section to get some raspberries. I told him he was going to be part of a column I was writing. I’m not sure he believed me.
Then I unnecessarily apologized to my friendly cashier and commented on my own “Canadian-ness.” Her response, “In our house, we apologize for apologizing.” She proceeded to share several incidences that had us both laughing. A good way to leave the grocery store. Here are some apologies I happened upon during my research. Are you guilty of these? Someone bumps into you in the street or at an event, but you say sorry. When querying a stranger: Instead of “Excuse me,” out comes, “Sorry, do you have a moment?” When asking for directions: “Sorry, can you tell me how to get to….” I even did it in French when I was travelling through France. My daughter taught me how to say – Je suis désolé, je ne parle pas français – I am sorry, I do not speak French. Often, I would only get through the first part of the statement, and locals would respond to me very politely. So even when we travel, people know we are Canadian. It’s okay, keep being polite, keep being friendly. You wear it well! |
Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Reach her by email at mpatnichol@gmail.com
INSPIRED Magazine
Inspiration for people over 55 Saturday, September 14, 2019 10am - 4pm • Beban Park, Nanaimo BC
EXHIBITORS!
Reserve your Booth NOW. 50% Sold. Kathie 250-479-4705, ext 103 nanaimoshow@seniorlivingmag.com
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COURAGEOUS OUTRAGEOUS
55+ Lifestyle Show PRESENTED BY
by PAT NICHOL
60+ EXHIBITORS ENTERTAINMENT MAKEOVERS FASHION SHOW Products & Services for 55+ Fabulous Makeovers by Akai Salon 50s & 60s Music by Flashback Freddy Fashion Show by KC’s Boutique Cafe by Sandy’s Ukrainian Kitchen Only $5 Admission
Senior Living... The Berwick Way At Berwick Retirement Communities, you will enjoy an unparalleled standard of living at a superior value. Berwick offers all the comforts of home with the amenities and hospitality you come to expect from resort style living. Find out more about The Berwick Way™ – Ask one of our Senior Living Experts Today!
www.BerwickRetirement.com V I C TO R I A | N A N A I M O | C O M OX | K A M LO O P S | C A M P B E L L R I V E R | Q U A L I C U M B E A C H P R O U D TO B E B C OW N E D & O P E R AT E D
Leave a legacy of hope... We grant wishes because wishes change lives.
Help us change and save lives.
Begin your legacy today. Eaden, 15 leukemia I wish to have my own fishing boat!
To learn more about making a gift to St. Paul’s Foundation in your will, please call: Karen Brown | 604-806-8271 helpstpauls.com/legacy
www.makeawishbc.ca
1-866-277-9474 bcchapter@makeawish.ca INSPIRED | MAY 2019
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The Harrisons, Langley’s Premier Retirement Living Communities
Independent & Assisted Living
Happy Mother’s Day! Celebrating all of our Ladies in May and appreciating the wisdom, talents and beauty they bring to our communities!
People don’t just move into a The Harrisons Offer: Complete Condo-style Harrison Residence because Suites, Chef Prepared Meals, Active Lifestyle of What We Do. They move Options, Assistance 24/7 if needed, Outstanding in because of Why We Do It! Essentials, Amazing Amenities, Wonderful Optional Services and so much more!
Come for a TOUR & COMPLIMENTARY CHEF PREPARED LUNCH anytime and see Why The Harrisons Really Do Offer A Better Way of Life! Harrison Landing 20899 Douglas Crescent Langley, BC V3A 9L3 604.530.7075 www.harrisonlanding.com 40 MAY 2019 | WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
Harrison Pointe 21616 -52 Avenue Langley, BC V2Y 1L7 604.530.1101 www.harrisonpointe.ca
The Harrisons