INSPIRED senior living magazine DARCY ROTA
MAY 2018
PROLIFIC ARTIST DARLENE MARZARI WELCOMES EACH DAY AS A GIFT
PROLIFIC ARTIST DARLENE MARZARI WELCOMES EACH DAY AS A GIFT
AIDING REFUGEES ON THE GREEK ISLAND OF SAMOS BIRDWATCHING HOBBY SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS
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Darcy Rota: Head Down; Follow Through by John Kelly Ganbatte by Danny Robb Each Day is a Gift by Carol Matthews Never Too Late to Launch a Writing Life by J. Kathleen Thompson A Traveller’s Tithe by J. Kathleen Thompson Lovin’ the Lavender Life by Sherry Conly The Ultimate Reward by Kate Robertson Reduce Seasonal Allergies by Dr. Stephanie Bayliss A Big Birding Year by Joan Boxall Joyful Aging by Thelma Fayle
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Cover DARCY ROTA Post-NHL life for this former left winger includes pouring his energy into family, community charities and staying true to his values. Photo by Tom Gould 4 2
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Former Vancouver Canuck Darcy Rota at home on the ice. Photo: Tom Gould 6
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DARCY ROTA: HEAD DOWN, FOLLOW THROUGH by JOHN KELLY Everyone is a household name… even if it’s only in their house. “With the 13th pick overall, the Chicago Blackhawks are pleased to select… (if general manager Tommy Ivan doesn’t say the right name, I’ve got no story) …from the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League… Darcy Rota. (Phew.) Darcy Rota is a household name in more than just his own. Sure, not in the way Shakespeare or Einstein or err… Gretzky is, but in many, many homes of his native Vancouver, around BC, throughout Canada and, yes, even Chicago. And he is recognized as much for his post-NHL-career charity work as he was for his on-ice exploits. You guessed it; Darcy Rota is a former NHLer now making his presence felt again in BC. Let’s skate backwards for a minute. Darcy was born in Vancouver and played many of his formative years in Prince George before a stellar junior career with the Edmonton Oil Kings. In the 1972–73 season, he notched 73 goals in just 68 games for a 129-point season and the league scoring title. Darcy could find the back of the net like a west coast cougar sniffing out a tasty mule deer. Sort of. But it wasn’t always thus. He is quick to point out – as he does to many minor hockey families and at hockey banquets – that he didn’t make an all-star team until his second year as a bantam at about 14 years old. In today’s world, where kids are lacing ’em up in-utero, this Rota-esque lateblooming is virtually unheard of. Darcy attributes much of his success to his dogged stick-to-itiveness. After his first-round selection by the Blackhawks and several seasons with Chicago, he was traded to the Atlanta Flames in 1979. A year later, it was a homecoming of sorts
as Darcy was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks, culminating in the 1982 Stanley Cup finals. Then, in the 1982–83 season, Darcy set club records for goals and points for a left winger, and the following season saw his selection to the NHL All-Star game. It was late in that campaign that a serious neck injury, the result of a check, eventually led to spinal fusion therapy and precipitated his retirement in December the following year. Darcy’s father Ralph’s inspiration to his son is clear in how Darcy lives life. Giving back to his community, being able to inspire in others the passion that saw him through a successful hockey career and now sees him through every new adventure is high on the list of activities that motivates Darcy. A Vancouver Canucks alumnus and the board’s treasurer, he attends 30plus Canucks home games at Rogers Arena to entertain guests and charities in the Alumni suite. An avid golfer and member of the Vancouver Golf Club since 1985, Darcy can combine his love of the game with his passion for charity work. “I do 10 to 15 charity golf events throughout the year, where I am at a par 3 for the day doing a hockey shot and then a golf shot with each group. Call it my Happy Gilmour activity,” he says. Obviously, goals have always been a big part of Darcy’s life, whether scoring them or setting them. Case in point: “When I grow up, I want to play in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Blackhawks. Darcy Rota, Grade 6.” This he wrote in his Canadian Dictionary for Schools, which is now proudly displayed in his home office. These days he does much more goal setting than goal scoring, but goals are meaningless unless you work hard to regularly achieve them. Darcy is fastidious about attaining the standards he sets. “Being active and living a healthy lifestyle are very
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Snapshot with Darcy Rota If you were to meet your 20-year-old self, what advice would you give him? “Stay the same course – you reached your goal of playing in the NHL. You played for an original six team in Chicago and finished your career playing in Vancouver, where you were born and raised in the province of BC – Vancouver, Burnaby, Kelowna, Prince George and currently Coquitlam since 1987. You will feel very blessed and honoured by reaching your professional goal.” Who or what has influenced you the most? And why? “My father Ralph Rota. He came from a very poor family – 11 brothers and sisters. My dad became a successful businessman through his high integrity, solid work ethic and disciplined mindset. He was supportive, sacrificed and was always dedicated to his family, business, recreational and sporting activities.” What does courage mean to you?
important to me,” he says. “Staying in reasonable shape along with being very disciplined in not gaining weight and setting monthly exercise goals – golf, daily walks with the dog and yoga – have been a priority for me. Some other health benefits I work on are that alcohol is something I hardly consume, and getting my proper rest is another. On normal nights, I am in bed around 10 p.m. and up at 6 a.m.” Early to bed, early to rise… That’s the sound body part of the Greek ideal. Here’s the mind part: “Keeping my mind active is also very important,” says Darcy. “We have had Prince George Business Partners with the Wettlaufer family since 1964. Our Dads (Stan and Ralph) owned a Chrysler dealership. The property was turned into commercial spaces and, once our fathers passed away, Bill Wettlaufer, my brother, Brad, and I took over the business. This takes a bit of time each day. I have always enjoyed the accounting part of business – like my father and now my son who is at SFU studying to be an accountant. A nice legacy to continue. Also, out of the great respect I have for my dad, Kathy and I named our son Adam Ralph Rota,” says Darcy. Healthy, wealthy and wise. Wisdom sometimes has a way of leading to health
“To me, courage means not to be scared to set goals and persevere and grind through hardships to achieve those goals.” What does success mean to you? “Success comes in many forms: being healthy, comfortable financially, having a loving, solid marriage, having the love and respect of my children, as well as the respect of people both in business and charities. Also, respect in my communities throughout BC. I believe I have achieved all of these at one time or another. But some sustain the test of time and some fade. When you come right down to the bottom line, it is believing that you are a good and worthy person. That you have ethics, morals and integrity you are content with – and that the real you is who you want to be.” | 8
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and wealth. “I had successful lower back surgery February 2015 and now live with no pain. Being able to walk and play golf painfree makes life very special again and I do not take that for granted,” says Darcy. “Stretching has become a big part of my life and this really got me into yoga. I find doing yoga classes with others is more beneficial than doing it on my own. I guess because you get pushed by your instructor and fellow enthusiasts.” Sounds like you might find Darcy atop Mount Waddington, cross-legged and dispensing pearls of wisdom to anyone who could make the ascent. But Darcy finds his grounding much closer to sea level. There’s the golfing, the yoga, bike riding, and the walks with their Eskimo/Pomeranian Coco. But he is nothing if not a family man. His wife Kathy and his children are Darcy’s real foundation. Son Adam, 21, studies at Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business, and daughter Megan, 20, is a professional dancer on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Darcy and Kathy left March 19th to join her cruise in Shanghai.
BELOW | Darcy volunteers his time to coach kids playing hockey at Planet Ice in Coquitlam. Photo: Tom Gould
A quick internet search of Darcy Rota will give you loads of statistics – did you know he was a +16 with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1973-74? And what’s with all the penalty minutes in the ’81-’82 season? Goals and assists are only a superficial assessment and don’t speak to the integrity of a person. Want to know a little bit more about Darcy Rota; the kind of stuff hockey stats can’t tell you? Hole #7. It’s a 172-yard par 3. Stand quietly in the tee box and hear the jostling of clubs as Darcy decides which iron to pull from his bag. Feel the cool morning breeze and look down the short fairway to where the stoic fir and hemlock stand like Swiss guards around the dewy green. Then have a chat. “Most days I will try and practice my golf game at my home course – Vancouver Golf Club – I enjoy working on all aspects of my game: chipping, putting, sand play, wedges, longer iron shots, hybrids and driver. I have a handicap of 1 and love the game of golf. Kathy isn’t quite as avid, but we enjoy playing together when we can.” In hockey, perhaps more than in any other professional sport, there is a special premium put on the ability to lead by example, to leave all the fist-pumping and grandstanding to others. The great leaders have done this. Despite all their talent and brilliance, the likes of Richard and Howe, Hull and Orr, Messier, Lemieux, and Gretzky went about their jobs with a workmanlike attitude that rubbed off on their fellow players and made for a better team. Darcy was that kind of player because he is that kind of person. He brought lessons to the arena and worked hard to make his dreams real. I suspect Darcy still would have forsaken it all had he not been able to be true to himself. Not once did Darcy mention his neck injury or that it had ended his career in its prime. No lamenting what might have been. No bemoaning his situation or begrudging the success of others. In a country where hockey is religion, for Darcy it was still just a means to a better end. There is a continuity, a cyclical nature to Darcy’s life. You can see it in the influence his father had on him and now the impact he has on his own children. You see it in his departure and return to Vancouver in his hockey years, and in his sense of communal work and play. And there it is in his charity enterprises, taking what he was given and returning it to those who need it most. Darcy shared that after a recent knee scope, replacement surgery may be in his future. Despite the trials that come with the procedure and the difficult rehab that follows, my bet is that Darcy will set a goal, persevere and grind through. He’ll have the love and support of family and community from whom he’s earned a ton of respect. He’s got lots on credit. “Giving back” is a phrase that has entered our vernacular and, for its ubiquity, has lost some of its cache. Everyone, it would seem, is “giving back” or “paying it forward” these days. Lip service for some, but Darcy Rota is a real-life example of the prodigal son having stretched his legs in the big city only to return to his neck of the woods and make it a better place for everyone. Last I heard from Darcy, he and Kathy were soon off to the Vancouver Canucks Annual Dice and Ice Fundraising event at Parc Hotel in Vancouver. Figures. |
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GANBATTE by DANNY ROBB After our morning taisō, I mentioned to my Japanese coworker my plans to climb Mt. Fuji. She cheerfully replied with the traditional salutation, “Ganbatte,” which she explained meant, “Try hard” – and I immediately thought – no problem. Trying hard applies to most everything I do, like trying to eat right, trying to keep my blood pressure and cholesterol down, trying to exercise regularly. However, that night, as I looked in the mirror at my out-of-shape, overweight (and late model) body, “try hard” seemed maybe too hard. I began questioning my motives – my wife thought I was crazy. Each season, about 250,000 people, from all around the world, come to hike Fuji. My interest began after seeing an announcement posted at my work of a group forming to go. I signed up. At our first meetup, like everyone else going, I was asked to tell what made me unique and why I wanted to climb Fuji-san. For the first part, I answered, I’m not really unique. I’m just an average (62-year-old) guy. Most people in my group said they wanted to hike Fuji for the tremendous experience, but that wasn’t my only or most compelling reason. I felt near to the point in life where body no longer follows along with mind’s whims. My honest answer to the million-dollar question was: I want to prove to myself that I can do it. I started my fitness preparation at T-51 by walking seven kilometres to the Navy Hospital where I worked. I did this twice a week. There’s no place on Okinawa that compares to Fuji’s terrain, but I calculated the distance required of my training route to match the equivalent energy I’d exert climbing the mountain. Using a calorie burn rate for an average person (like me), that equated to walking 32 km at 10 8
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a moderate pace. But! A wholly different combination of muscles and range of joint motion are at work when walking uphill and downhill. To emulate this effect, I took the stairs at work instead of using the elevator and, on Saturdays, I doubled my route to about 16 km (I never got around to doing 32). Don’t worry about getting to Fuji. That’s the easy part. We took a bus to Station 5. I recommend dressing in layers. At the Yoshida trailhead, the temperature was 20°C. The top was around 0°C. I carried water and snacks in my small backpack, but food and drink (and toilet use, yes, it’s 200 ¥) can be purchased along the way at any of the many huts scattered along the trail. We started climbing at 10 a.m. Not long after we got underway, our group broke up into units of twos and threes as people settled into their pace. We stopped for a breather whenever we needed. Altitude sickness is caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. Best way to avoid it is to climb slowly, so the body can acclimate – or do as my friend did, although he sounded like Darth Vader as he sucked on his canned oxygen. We got to our lodge at station 8 in six hours. Half our group was already there and on their second round of beer. The proprietor showed us our accommodations. Imagine the cabin at the summer camp you went as a kid, only without the bunk beds, but instead, there are 200 sleeping bags lined along the walls, overlapping like sardines in a can, and everyone sleeps on the same side
ABOVE LEFT | The author arrives at Station 8 during his first hike of Mt. Fuji. ABOVE RIGHT | Hikers on the summit capture the awe-inspiring sunrise. TOC PAGE | Sunrise on Mt. Fuji. Photos: Mario Regalado
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to avoid breathing in his neighbour’s face. And when one person turns over, like dominos, everybody else follows suit. Worst of all, imagine Darth Vader spooning you while snoring like a jet engine. The curry dinner was good. At 1 a.m., after zero sleep, I sat outside in the cool night air and sipped a cup of hot coffee. I was tired but anxious. We merged into the steady stream of hikers marching up the mountain. The trail here became steeper and soon narrowed, forcing the foot traffic into single file. We rested when the line stopped, which was brief but, thankfully, often. I wasn’t fatigued so much, but my knees and thighs were starting to ache. In the darkness, time seemed to pass slower. I checked my watch: 4 a.m. Above me, the parade of flashlights disappeared into blackness as a higher cloud bank shrouded the mountain. We kept going – and going – and I was beginning to worry if we’d get to the top in time to see the sun rise – and then, we finally broke through the haze. Under starry skies, like candles, a horizontal line of flickering flashlights marked the peak of the mountain. I soon joined the multitude of people there, brushing welcoming shoulders and sharing happy smiles with strangers in a celebration of exhilaration. Afterwards, I headed away from the crowd and walked along the rim of the crater. Near the edge, I found a solitary spot to sit and watchfully wait, my
concentration focused on the east. I spent the next moments in humble reflection of how fortunate I was to be here. I thought of my parents and my brothers. Before long, the night began to slowly dissipate, drawing its curtain aside so the day could enter. Purplish waves rippled throughout the bronze, panoramic sky, leaving behind in their wake a palette of colours turning subtly radiant. On the far horizon, pillows of cotton-candy clouds appeared, becoming steadily brighter – suddenly, a prick of bright light pierced the sky, revealing behind it, the tiny yellow pupil of the sun’s opening eye. Amazing. Truly. What goes up must come down. A wide path zigzagged down the backside of the mountain making for an efficient no-frills exit. The loose, gravelly surface was extremely slippery, wreaking havoc on my knees. My thighs were burning.
People with hiking poles seemed to be getting along fine as they sashayed past me. I wished I’d walked the stairs at work more often. At the bottom, Vader saw me coming and hobbled over. We compared experiences. His stick was covered with stamps. Mine had the Station 5 mark near the bottom and only one more at the top – which fit my story: the one in-between them, of how an average guy like me climbed Mt. Fuji to prove to himself that he could – and did. As we walked to our transport, another tour bus was unloading passengers into the parking lot. A man my age nodded and smiled as we passed by. Climbing Fuji is a unique, tremendous experience. I plan to do it again on my 70th birthday (yeah, same reason). I smiled back at the man, and as I do to all who try, I wished him, Ganbatte! |
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EACH DAY IS A GIFT by CAROL MATTHEWS At 74, Darlene Marzari is a dynamo: attractive, vivacious and afire with activities of all sorts. Heads turn when she enters a room because she walks fast, laughs a lot, wears classy, colourful clothes and exudes a cheerful energy. From her earliest years, Darlene has welcomed new challenges. A runway model at 16, she graduated with a degree from the University of Toronto at 20. Two years later, she completed a social work diploma from the London School of Economics and went on to a distinguished career as a community development worker and social planner. In 1972, she was elected “alderman” in Vancouver; in 1986 she became MLA for Point Grey and in the election after that she became Minister of Tourism and Culture and then Minister of Municipal Affairs for BC. Darlene brushes off her distinguished political career by claiming to have been at the right place at the right time. “I’ve been very lucky,” she says. “It was a miracle to be elected to Vancouver City Council in that Golden Age when Art Phillips was Mayor, Dave Barrett was in Victoria, and Pierre Trudeau was in Ottawa!” After leaving politics, Darlene took up a new career as co-founder of the Vancouver toy store Kaboodles. Twice married and twice widowed, she has a daughter, a stepson, two sons, and four grandchildren. She continues to live in her long-term home in Point Grey, a busy meeting place for family and friends. She’s excited to have now moved down to the basement suite. “We call it the Garden Level Suite, although my granddaughter Rosie calls it ‘the Iris Penthouse.’” Her two sons occupy the upper floors with the agreement that Darlene can take over the main floor “mother of all kitchens” on demand! When I ask what her work is these days she says, “I don’t work! I have fun, avoid stress, and look after my health.” It’s true that health is a priority for Darlene – Aquafit 12 10
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classes at the aquatic centre almost every day, walking and cycling around the waterfront – but her definition of not working is different from most. Since her retirement from public office, Darlene has served on many boards and committees including: Chair of Georgia Basin Network; Honorary Director of the Big Sisters Society of BC; Director of the Vancouver Art Gallery; Elected Member of the UBC Alumni Association; and Member of the Vancouver Folk Festival Society Board. She still serves on the Board of Headlines Theatre because “It’s important and truthful theatre that gets inside people’s heads and changes their thinking.” She’s enthusiastic about the Columbia Institute, an agency that provides training and
ABOVE | In retirement, Darlene Marzari makes her health a priority with cycling, walking and Aquafit classes. Photo: Darcy Dobell PAGE 12 | A self-described “social painter,” Darlene likes to create in the company of other artists. Photo: Margaret Stott
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support for school trustees and city counsellors and is still Chair of the Civic Governance Advisory Group. Although she claims not to be active politically these days, Darlene remains passionate and outspoken about social justice issues. “It saddens me that we have settled for so little when there’s so much to be done.” She’s concerned about the disproportionate number of people with mental health issues who end up in jail. She’s outraged by the lack of a universally accessible day care system. She’s frustrated that there is “a growing Canadian sentiment that politics is not working for us.” But, she says, “Anger is an under-rated emotion. With intelligent anger, you can reach inside and come up fighting.” “Governing at the local level is where you can make a huge difference, so I want to encourage young women to become involved in local politics.” she says. “I especially like mentoring political hopefuls at my breakfast table.” Does she adhere to that old motto that we must think global and act local? “Of course! How else can you get out of bed in the morning?” Over the last several years, Darlene has been increasingly active as an artist and says a day of painting in the garden is an ideal way to spend time. She’s a prolific artist, producing still lifes and landscapes in watercolours and acrylic, as well as oils and collage techniques.
Recently, in the Artist in Our Midst’s exhibition at Vancouver’s Roundhouse, she had two works on display: an evocative oil painting called “River Boats in St. Petersburg” alongside “Poem by Yeats,” a quixotic collage based on Yeats’ poem “I Made My Song a Coat.” At the 2017 West of Main Art Walk, she exhibited many oils and watercolours, including a large oil painting called “Grilled Cheese on a Saturday.” The titles testify to the range of her interests. “After I left politics in 1996, I turned to painting, along with a few other things to bring me back to basics; not that I was returning to an old passion, simply that the local community centre had a watercolour class and I jumped at it as if this is what I should have been doing years earlier. It was.” “I have painted with the Vancouver Art Guild before it knew it was a guild.
Fran Alley taught art at the community centre before she got a day job and I was one of the lucky number that she couldn’t avoid every Wednesday afternoon in the North Room at the Jericho Building we call home.” “I like splashing colours, and thanks to Fran, I now know a little about how to splash. I’m a social painter and need the group around me, laughing, gossiping, critiquing each others’ work, to do anything remotely interesting.” “I do still lifes and landscapes in watercolour and acrylic and conduct a tiny flirtation with oils at my cabin which is, to say the least, well ventilated. People tell me I am prolific, and I take that as a compliment. My pleasure is in playing with techniques and paints and losing time with a canvas until someone tells me ‘it’s done.’ The Guild is such a wonderful group to lose time with!” In addition to artistic and volunteer
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When you include a legacy gift to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, you become a member of the Stradivarius Legacy Circle, and help to keep glorious, symphonic music playing for generations to come.
activities, Darlene devotes time to her friends. When MP Margaret Mitchell was failing for some time before her recent death, Darlene was part of her care team. Her dinner party group has been dining and caring for each other for 45 years, and her home is always open to friends and family who pass through to chat, eat meals, and spend the night or the week. When I tell her I have a new book coming out, she instantly responds, “Great! I’ll organize a launch at my place!” What does she hope for in the years ahead? “More of the same! Each day is a gift. I just want to keep my body in shape and my mind alive.” And, clearly, she’s doing it! She treks up to Sonora Island for holidays at the dilapi-
Call Mary Butterfield, Director, Individual & Legacy Giving for more information about Legacy gifts and benefits to you, or to join the Stradivarius Legacy Circle if you have already included the VSO in your estate plans.
604.684.9100 ext. 238 or mary@vancouversymphony.ca
vancouversymphony.ca Vancouver Symphony Foundation Charitable #85410 7554 RR0001
dated “heritage” cottage she shares with family and friends, spends a month each year on a beach in Mexico, and remains ready to respond to any new adventure that comes her way. When asked about her key concerns, she laughs and speaks of technological challenges. “I don’t know how to return online forms to senders and I can’t sort out my many files of digital photographs. I’ll be found one day collapsed over my Mac because I haven’t mastered how to change a password!” She has, however, mastered the art of being fully alive in the world, staying curious about and engaged in every passing moment and paying attention to whomever and whatever is present in it. | 14 12
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© UNHCR/Sebastian Rich
FAMILIES.
What will you leave behind?
FRIENDS.
Leaving a legacy in your will creates a lasting future for refugees and displaced people who have lost everything but hope.
HOMES. JOBS.
For as long as people are displaced, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, will continue to answer the call to support millions of displaced people—today, tomorrow and for years to come.
SCHOOLS. HEALTH. COMMUNITY. MEMORIES.
Secure your legacy today with a gift that will live on with lasting significance for refugees.
THEY LEFT EVERYTHING BEHIND.
For more information, please call 1-877-232-0909 or email donorcare@unhcr.ca
www.unhcr.ca/legacy
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MAY 2018
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NEVER TOO LATE TO LAUNCH A WRITING LIFE by J. KATHLEEN THOMPSON At 64, while Leslie A. Davidson was awaiting the release of her first published book, she heard she had won the CBC Literary Prize for Creative Non-Fiction. She was sure neither luck nor magic had anything to do with either achievement but was understandably incredulous that they were happening simultaneously. “It was an amazing time for me,” Leslie recalls, from her home in Revelstoke. “The day on which I received the news that my submission “Adaptation” had won the CBC literary award was absolutely wild. I was surprised to the point of shock, humbled – especially after having read the other four powerful, beautiful stories that were also shortlisted for the prize – and thrilled. Is there a word for ‘Is this happening; and I am so very happy?’” She laughs, remembering how startling and surreal it was to suddenly be a writing celebrity. “At almost 65, that flurry of attention and recognition was a testament to ‘it’s never too late.’” And a testament to Leslie’s grit. The day on which she received the news about her writing award (which in16 14
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cluded $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a 10-day writing residency at The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and the publication of her winning story in Air Canada’s inflight magazine Enroute), she was attending, as a delegate, the World Parkinson Congress in Portland, Oregon. Though she had been dealing with Parkinson’s for over four years, and her husband, Lincoln (now deceased), with Lewy Body dementia, her determination to give form to that voice that had lurked behind her consciousness all her life had guided her steps forward as a writer.
ABOVE | Author Leslie Davidson won the CBC Literary Prize for Creative Non-Fiction as she awaited the release of her first published book. Photo: Sarah Mickel Photography
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Feelings unearthed as a result of moving from her beloved home in Grand Forks to Revelstoke (in order to be close to the special care her husband had needed, and to their two daughters and four grandchildren) and the on-going challenges of living with the realities of their life-altering diseases, had found solace in the intricate crafting of a simple story. Her prize-winning story, “Adaptation” (see CBCbooks.ca) spun gold, the hard-rock kind, from a tale of two lives holding fast against the unpredictable changes inflicted by aging and two unforgiving illnesses. While “Adaptation” provided a place for Leslie to tell her and her husband’s story, the question about what creative non-fiction can offer the reader prompts Leslie to reflect on her journey as a writer and the reasons she writes. “I was never a journal writer; I have always written to communicate and share my stories,” she begins. “I come from a family of talkers and storytellers; my mother gathering us barefoot kids round her to hear stories of her childhood, and my paternal grandmother regaling us with stories of her experiences as a young Prairie town school teacher. Storytelling was a way of structuring and relaying experience that, I guess, I unconsciously absorbed because, between keeping scraps of paper with scribbles of ideas and searching for ways to express the inexpressible, I have always felt compelled to tell my story and those of the people I cherish. In telling these stories, I may be helping to articulate the reader’s story as well. Writing, to me, is an act of love.” Some of Leslie’s stories are fashioned for a young audience. It was the publication of one of these; In the Red Canoe that coincided with the winning of the CBC Literary Prize for Creative Non-Fiction. She recounts the experience of “going to print” for the first time as, likewise, one of the most thrilling of her life. “I have been writing poetry, stories and novels for young readers all of my life, and when the manuscript for In the Red Canoe did catch a publisher’s eye, you can imagine my excitement,” she says, adding, “especially when that pub-
How would you like to be remembered? Be a celebrated guardian of Canadian wildlife. We have a special title for those who name us in their will or estate plans: Wilderness Guardians. But we can only give benefits if you let us know your intent. Join today. Notify us. See the benefits.* *Benefits: personalized updates, guided field trips and more...
Learn more at: WildernessCommittee.org/legacy
Michelle Johnson Victoria (250) 388-9292 Vancouver (778) 708-9179
46 E. 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5T 1J4 1-800-661-9453 (toll free) plan@wildernesscommittee.org
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Leave a Legacy Gift and Enhanced Financial Security for those who will benefit from Sanctuary programs In the end you’re either endowed... or extinct.
BEQUESTS, SECURITIES, LIFE INSURANCE, and RETIREMENT PLAN D E S I G N AT I O N S
To d i s c u s s t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f l e a v i n g a p l a n n e d g i f t t o S w a n L a k e , p l e a s e c o n t a c t k b u r t o n @ s w a n l a k e . b c . c a o r p h o n e : 2 5 0 . 4 7 9 . 0 2 1 1 t o d a y.
Your Gift is an Investment in
When you invest in The Cridge Centre for the Family, you give a gift of hope, security, and love. Your gift supports abused women, brain injury survivors, young parents, families of children with special needs, seniors, children, and those in need of affordable housing. Visit cridge.org/give or phone 250-995-6419 to plan your gift. Serving those in need since 1873 … because love is the bottom line.
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lisher was Orca Books, a highly regarded publisher of children’s books with whom I had become very familiar during my former life as a kindergarten teacher and librarian.” With the contracting of an illustrator, Laura Bifano, the images for In the Red Canoe – a tender portrait of a young girl’s first canoe trip with her grandfather – were richly realized and faithful to the memories that had inspired the story. Many stemmed from the first years in retirement when Leslie and her husband would load the canoe in their car and head out to the Chilcotin to camp. “The longing for grandchildren was particularly intense at that time,” she shares, “and as we quietly paddled and noodled along the shore, I imagined their grandfather – who was sitting behind me in the canoe – opening magical worlds for them as he pointed out the natural wonders of our wilderness lakes. Each image in the book was something I had seen or had felt during those precious times.” Retirement has brought that other gift – the gift of time – that allows Leslie to dwell awhile with the thoughts, experiences and ideas that have shaped her writing consciousness. “It is so wonderful to be in that quiet space now, where, after a series of unforeseeable transitions, the stories that have been stalking me all my life are finally getting written down and shared,” she says. “I am currently chipping away at a few children’s stories and gathering up ideas and previous bits of writing for a linear memoir. What thrills me is when I look at the clock and it’s 1:00 a.m. and I’m still writing!” “At 65, I am a beginning writer,” she says proudly, “fulfilling a dream happily delayed by other passions: a student of literature, a “gotta-write-a-word-poem-forthem” teacher, a mom, a traveller, a nature lover, a reader, a friend and a partner. Not for a moment do I regret waiting for this chance to write. I feel so blessed that what I find myself doing now has also found a readership.” Leslie marvels at how, with writing, she is always getting to a better place than where she began. We can only hope that her courage, zeal for writing and evergrowing fan-club emboldens her continued efforts towards “better places” for author and readers alike. |
LET YOURÂ LEGACY BE WILD
Your legacy gift alleviates wildlife suffering caused by human activities. The partnership between supporters and our expert medical team treats 5,000 injured and orphaned animals every year. Your generous legacy is a tribute to your compassion to the wellbeing of wildlife! Learn how you can leave a gift. Call us at 604.526.2747 ext. 506 giving@wildliferescue.ca www.wildliferescue.ca
With your gift, kids like Cohen can reach their full potential.
Leave a legacy in your will today to champion the health of every Island family for years to come. Contact Jessica Bell at 250-519-6721 or visit islandkidsfirst.ca to start a conversation.
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MAY 2018
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A TRAVELLER’S TITHE by J. KATHLEEN THOMPSON The restaurant, with the waters of the Aegean lapping at our feet, is warmed by its ebullient owner, Eleni. She knows we are on the island of Samos, Greece, to help the refugees, and she tells us she has rented out her cottage to two young Syrian women. “Their father, Mahmood, didn’t think the refugee camp was safe, and wanted to find a place for them outside the camp,” says Eleni. “They have just gone for a walk. I’ll introduce them to you when they return.” The five of us – my partner and I, retired-still-energetic Canadians, Sallie, a bright-eyed 81-year-old American woman, Jane, a soft-spoken Brit, and Markus, a lanky young man from Austria - knew the camp was overcrowded and that social protocols would be difficult to uphold, so it was not surprising to hear of a father’s concern. We hadn’t realized, however, that local Greeks, like Eleni, were stepping
TOP | The author sings with Syrian children. MIDDLE | Greek ruins overlooking the Aegean Sea. BOTTOM | Samos Volunteers Warehouse. PAGE 21 | Paradise Garden with Syrian kids. Photos: J. Kathleen Thompson 20 18
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in to help in cases like these. In a few minutes, Eleni, with two young women smartly dressed in long robes and matching hijabs, approach our table. They are introduced to us as Almas and Fatima, and we learn they had both left homes in Aleppo to escape the war. Almas, whose English is excellent, speaks on behalf of both of them. “My family was too afraid to go outside in Aleppo, as it was too dangerous to be on the streets,” she says. “We were like prisoners in our own home. That was when my father decided we needed to leave.” Almas sketches her family’s journey through Syria and Turkey. Her friend, Fatima, had made the journey on her own. “There were many times that people offered her help, but she would not take it as she was never sure if the offers were genuine. It is amazing that she got here, and now she has us to look after her!” Almas says, putting her arm around Fatima. The young women are thrilled with the little cottage Eleni has provided them. They beam as they talk about being able to freely go for walks by the sea, to stop for a coffee along the way, and to know that Theo, Eleni’s puppy, will be waiting for them upon their return. Eleni’s smile, in return, lights up the restaurant. And so begins our first experience as volunteers on Samos, one of the five islands at the easternmost edge of Greece that are struggling to deal with refugees smuggled from Turkey who are now “shipwrecked” on their shores. The volunteer opportunity came amidst our six-week hiking holiday through the Greek islands; Samos had initially been on our radar for its climbing possibilities (boasting the tallest mountain in the Aegean). The ongoing severity of the refugee issue and the confirmed need for volunteers convinced us that a tithe for our freedom (in the form of time and labour) could be given to help those who were fighting for theirs. The situation was dire. In less than a year, more than a million refugees from the Middle East and Africa had traversed through Greece; the largest migration of
THE HEALTH OF WOMEN IS VITAL TO EVERYONE
Leaving a gift in your Will can help thousands of women and newborns each year. A legacy to BC Women’s Hospital Foundation transforms lives for generations. It matters. To make a donation or learn more: bcwomensfoundation.org 604.875.2270
displaced persons since World War II. Where the islands of Kos, Leros, Samos, Chios and Lesbos had formerly been transit points for refugees, with the closing of the northern borders of Greece, the refugees’ layover on these islands had become much longer and increasingly less hospitable. Their status had shifted from political refugee to political detainee and they were now forced to await their fate in hastily commandeered facilities that had been meant to house WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
asylum-seekers only temporarily. Often, these facilities are abandoned army barracks complete with razoredged barbed-wire fencing, metal boxes or tents for housing, concrete or dirt flooring, sketchy electricity and plumbing, and dodgy food. With dinghies of people still arriving daily, the scant resources in these camps were having to suffice for more and more people. Fortunately, there are still several international NGOs (such as Red Cross, MAY 2018
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Major university hearing study seeks participants. Connect Hearing, with hearing researcher Professor Kathy Pichora-Fuller at the University of Toronto, seeks participants who are over 50 years of age and have never worn hearing aids for a hearing study investigating factors that can influence better hearing. All participants will have a hearing test provided at no charge. Qualifying participants may also receive a demonstration of the latest hearing technology. The data collected from this study will be used to further our understanding of hearing loss and improve life-changing hearing healthcare across Canada.
Why participate in the hearing study?
Hearing problems typically result from damage to the ear and researchers have spent decades trying to understand the biology behind hearing loss. More importantly, researchers now realize the need to better understand how hearing loss affects your everyday life*. In this new hearing study, Professor Pichora-Fuller and her team are trying to find out how people learn to live with hearing loss and how new solutions could help these people take action sooner and live life more fully.
If you are over 50 years of age and have never worn hearing aids, you can register to be a part of this major new hearing study† by calling: 1.888.242.4892 or visiting connecthearing.ca/hearing-study.
* Pichora-Fuller, M. K. (2016). How social psychological factors may modulate auditory and cognitive functioning during listening. Ear and Hearing, 37, 92S-100S. † Study participants must be over 50 years of age and have never worn hearing aids. No fees and no purchase necessary. Registered under the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC. VAC, WCB accepted. 1. Cruickshanks, K. L., Wiley, T. L., Tweed, T. S., Klein, B. E. K., Klein, R, Mares-Perlman, J. A., & Nondahl, D. M. (1998). Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Older Adults in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin: The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study. Am. J. Epidemiol. 148 (9), 879-886. 2. National Institutes of Health. (2010).
17 MODIFICATION DATE: February 21, 2018 9:14 AM OUTPUT DATE: 02/21/18
CLIENT: CHCA
It is estimated that 46% of people aged 45 to 87 have some degree of hearing loss1, but most do not seek treatment right away. In fact, the average person with hearing loss will wait ten years before seeking help2. This is because at the beginning stages of hearing loss people often find they can “get by” without help, however as the problem worsens this becomes increasingly harder to do. For some people this loss of clarity is only a problem at noisy restaurants or in the car, but for others it makes listening a struggle throughout the entire day. By studying people who have difficulty hearing in noise or with television, we hope to identify key factors impacting these difficulties and further understand their influence on the treatment process.
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Save the Children, Médicins Sans Frontières, and the UNHCR) and local charitable organizations ensuring that basic needs of the refugees in these camps are being met, some of them dependent on volunteers for this work. Our willingness to help while in Greece was welcomed by Samos Volunteers, a grassroots humanitarian organization on the island of Samos that have taken on the job of supplying the refugees with basic survival needs – bedding, tents, clothing, shoes, hygiene kits - and psychological support. As short-term volunteers, we were assigned to the unpacking and sorting of the mountains of donations shipped to the island and stored in Samos Volunteers’ warehouse. What an eye-opener to be at the receiving end of all the charities, church groups and families throughout Europe that have collected boxes of clothing, shoes, baby needs, toys and warm bedding for people in need! The extent of the proceeds was staggering; a thousand boxes of kids’ sweaters, toddlers’ trousers, women’s sleepwear, teens’ rain jackets, etc. lined the warehouse walls, and every day there were a hundred more ready to unpack and sort. And items shipped aren’t just the handme-downs for the fourth child, either. Rather, the lovingly labelled boxes reveal neatly pressed corduroys, blouses with sales tags still attached, “onesies” that had been worn once, if at all. Kindness, so carefully and quietly dispensed… Each morning, we would report to the warehouse to prepare clothes and kits for the camp; 50 teen tops, 30 men’s summer trousers, six newborn baby kits, six size 25 shoes for girls, eight size 35 for teen boys, etc. And there were always survival kits to prepare – sets of warm AD #: 4C_4.75x7.25 andINSPIRED dry clothing – for the people plucked Pub: SENIOR LIVING fromMarch the14,sea Insert: 2018that day. It was satisfying to know, at the end of the day, that the better we had done our job, the more efficiently the needs of the refugees had been met. In addition to helping with Samos Volunteers, I was asked by another organization – Médicins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) – to conduct some music/art activities for children of “pregnant families” housed in the
Make ending poverty part of your life story... Photo: Laura Hynd/Oxfam
hotel where we were staying. Given my experience as a music teacher, I was delighted to oblige. Within moments of greeting the children, all of them – ages two to 13 – were holding hands in a circle, clapping, stamping, marching, looby looing, london bridging, bamba-ing and laughing for the sheer joy of it. No matter how non-existent my Farsi and how little their English, melody and rhythm easily carried the day. A sheet mural of “Paradise Garden” (a reference to the hotel we were in), with their handprints and mine amidst a collage of birds and flowers and butterflies and bees, wrapped up our final day together. Standing amongst the children’s peace symbols by our Paradise Garden mural put the multi-sided political angles of the refugee crisis in its place. Remember the children and the vulnerable in their involuntary journey to freedom.
Richard is leaving a gift to Oxfam in his will, and says “ I can buy the food I need. But I’m aware that many people in the world do go to bed hungry. We who have so much shouldn’t forget that there are many who have so little. ” If you share Oxfam and Richard’s belief in a world without poverty, contact Rowena.Griffiths@oxfam.org or phone 613-237-5236 ext 2209
oxfam.ca
With these thoughts foremost in our minds, it was difficult to shift our focus back to the privilege of planning our onward journey and resuming our leisurely amble through the Greek islands. We left our volunteer compatriots deeply involved in their work with the refugees: Sallie preparing a documentary based on her interviews with refugees; Markus extending his stay another week because he had been asked to lend a hand to the distribution centre; and Jane excited about distributing 400 pairs of men’s sandals that she had purchased locally with the help of donated funds. Hiking poles once more in hand, we walked onto the ferry bound for the mountainous island of Ikaria, sensing there will be no summit equal to the tower of humanity we had witnessed while volunteering on the island of Samos. Without question, we will return. | For more information about volunteer organizations on Samos, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/a-travellers-tithe
generously. give Without you the smiles fade quickly.
Please
250-370-5664 gvef.org 1454 Hillside Ave, Victoria, BC V8T 2B7
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ECF • Bring Smiles Back
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REBOOT by VERENA FOXX GUY MATTHEWS’ life work is an extension of his long-time yoga practice. Teaching yoga since 1995, at UBC and at other Vancouver locations, “keeps me in harmony and balance,” he says. About two years ago, Guy extended his yogic philosophy into John Kerr
Guy Matthews
a one-man service business that he appropriately named Help is Here! Clients find him through word-of-mouth and hire him to do anything from gardening, gutter cleaning, grocery shopping, freezer defrosting, and being driven and accompanied to medical and other appointments. “The goal for most people is to stay in their own homes and to be independent as long as possible,” he says, “but they are sometimes shy about needing help. Hiring me can circumvent the emotional ties of asking family.” Guy, who has caregiver training, both professionally and personally, says sharing his time and helping out brings him joy.
Our 65th Anniversary serving the needs of physically disabled throughout B.C. Our Mission is to help fund & support organizations and individuals facing challenges, and improve quality of life and independence.
Help us to help others! Our Accomplishments include: •Technology for independent living •Noble House •Education programs •Support of Ronald McDonald House
Please support our programs! www.kinsmenfoundationofbc.ca Thank you for 65 years of support!! We have a variety of ways that you can help!! For more info, Email: kinsmenfoundationofbc@shaw.ca 24 22
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JOHN KERR wrapped up his long-held elementary school teaching and administration career (from Prince George to Campbell River) on Cortes Island in 2009. However, he knew his heart was still in education, so he ran for, and was elected as a School Board Trustee in Campbell River in 2014. At that time, he also reached into his past interests to follow his lifelong love of riding and owning motorcycles. “I stopped collecting bikes when my garage was full, and my bank account was empty,” says John. On one of his recent USA road trips, he met an 80-yearold motorcyclist who walked with a cane, had a cane holder and a handicapped sticker on his bike, and was still riding across the continent from Portland to Maine, and north to Alaska. “You have to stop when you lose your sense of balance and your physical strength,” says John. “But before that happens, you can try riding on a lighter bike or a three-wheeler motorcycle trike.” John plans to keep riding as long as it’s physically possible. Verena Foxx is a Vancouver writer/ educator who is exploring how people across BC are living, transforming and re-imagining their 55+ lives.
Affordable homes for Seniors in the Greater Vancouver Area
Carefree Independent living Safe & Secure Close to all amenities
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Joyce St., Vancouver
All inquiries: 604.970.8444 Office: 604.439.2443 Email: cca@colchar.org www.colchar.org
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Powered by the Knights of Columbus
May
We grant wishes because wishes change lives.
LEAVE A LEGACY OF HOPE
What
will your
legacybe? If you are aged 55 or over, May is your chance to leave a lasting legacy by including a gift in your Will to one or more of the Free Wills Month charities. An up to date Will gives you peace of mind as you provide for loved ones. Free Wills Month also provides an opportunity to do something truly memorable by contributing to the work of a great cause.
Keygan, 13 lymphoma I wish for a gaming computer!
MAKE-A-WISHÂŽ BC & YUKON www.makeawishbc.ca 604.688.7944 bcchapter@makeawish.ca
Appointments are limited so call one of the participating lawyers from May 1 – for a list visit
freewillsmonth.ca/isl Advertisement placed by Capacity Marketing For Charities on behalf of the Free Wills Month charities. You are not obliged to include a bequest to any of the charities. The Promotion covers the cost of a simple Will, defined by the drafting lawyer. You might be charged directly for work that is beyond what the lawyer considers a simple Will. Law firms listed are a selection of law firms who write Wills as part of their portfolio of services and are not contracted to the Free Wills Month charities. Terms and conditions on application. A comprehensive list of law firms can be viewed at http://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Lawyer-Referral-Service. [ISL 05.18]
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MAY 2018
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LOVIN’ THE LAVENDER LIFE by SHERRY CONLY When it comes to second chances, Victoria Lavender owner and farmer Alan Mayfield could write the book. It took not one but two major heart attacks in his mid-fifties to change the trajectory of his life. Today, he’s healthy and the happiest he’s ever been. Originally from Kent, England, Alan earned a degree in Chemical Engineering and moved to Canada shortly after, beginning a 30-year career in the Canadian lumber industry. He worked in a high-stress, travel-heavy position and suffered a serious heart attack at age 55. Twelve months after returning to work, he suffered a catastrophic heart attack that nearly ended his life – and saw him spend four months in rehab. This second heart attack was his epiphany and set him on the track to where he is today. “It was a huge thing for me to grasp, figuring out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” he says. “For many men, their self-esteem and their being is their job. It can be a struggle to adjust to that new reality, and I was a classic case of that.” Alan cut ties with life as he knew it and opted for a year at sea on his boat. He sailed around the world, seeing countries like Vietnam and China, countries he had previously seen through very different eyes as a travelling businessman. Life was slower paced, and his body began to heal. He ultimately landed back in BC, on Salt Spring Island, where he rented a place while he pondered his next move. Having lost 60 pounds and given up smoking and drinking, he was in the best shape of his adult life and ready for a new adventure. After doing some research and getting involved with 26 24
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lavender farming organizations, Alan decided to try his hand at growing the aromatic plant. “Lavender is associated with a calm, peaceful existence, and that really suited someone who’d had a couple of heart attacks,” he says. Alan grew up on a farm, gleaning bits of knowledge from his hardworking father. In his youth, he’d had little to do with the fruit orchards to which his father dedicated his life; later in life, it became apparent he’d paid more attention than he thought. Decided on his new path, Alan headed back into the world to learn about the lavender industry hands on. The first stop was France, which was a bit of a dead end as the French are very protective of their illustrious lavender industry. Undeterred, Alan moved on to Australia and New Zealand, working in exchange for room and board, and the sharing of knowledge. Making friends along the way, he’s since returned several times. Back in BC, he bought land outside Sidney and found that farming was a perfect fit. “I deeply resent the fact that I didn’t find this life before,” he says. “I didn’t know I was any good at it. That’s my regret – not finding this until I was in my late fifties. I wish I could apologize to my father. I wish he could see me now, walking around in my gumboots. Maybe he’s looking down on me from heaven saying, ‘I told you so.’” Alan took on the many tasks at hand with his trademark determination, clearing the brush, building fences, ploughing, and ABOVE | Lavender farmer and animal lover Alan Mayfield traded in his high-stress, travel-heavy career for a life more closely tied to his roots. Photo: Victoria Lavender Farm
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planting about 10,000 lavender bushes. From there, the farm grew and, 15 years later, lavender is far from the only thing being cultivated. The farm is open to the public on weekends and thrills visitors with a petting zoo featuring a variety of adorable critters, 15 aviaries of rare peacock and pheasant species, four Great Pyrenees dogs, cats, and other wildlife as far as the eye can see. Alan has a particular interest in the birds, having bred them as a child in Kent. “I think they’re the most beautiful species of the bird family,” he says of his prized ornamental pheasants and white peacocks. Newer to the farm is goat yoga, which has proven to be wildly popular. In late 2016, Alan suffered a health setback when he had a stroke. He wasn’t sure how his recovery would play out and he worried for the care of the animals, wondering how the farm would keep running as a not-for-profit. A friend suggested goat yoga, having heard of it on a farm in Oregon. Alan was intrigued and did plenty of research before announcing the idea on Facebook. He admits that just like when he was starting out farming, he didn’t know much about yoga, but thought it was an interesting idea. “In 10 days, we got just over 20,000 hits, so that was a clear sign there was real interest,” he says. When the newest herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats were born in April 2017, it was unseasonably cold and wet. Alan called upon a seamstress to sew up pajamas for the kids to help keep them warm. And knowing that if they were to survive, they’d need extra love as well, Alan appealed on Facebook and in the media for goat cuddlers. The farm got over 9,000 applications in several hours, forcing Alan and his staff to shut down the ad. “From then on, we had volunteers pretty much every day. It’s been huge, and it was probably a really good pipeline into the demographic that does yoga,” he says. There were over 1,200 students registered for the classes last spring. This year, he aims to offer goat yoga for a longer period, having staggered the goat breeding season. Building on his entrepreneurial spirit, the farm also offers 65 different varieties of lavender products. Two staff members work full time to manufacture the products created for sale, ranging from beauty products to culinary-grade lavender used in ice cream and for gin distilleries. As the farm gets busier, Alan knows he needs to step back a little – but not too much. The farm is his home, and he’s happy to continue to run it on his terms. “At 72, I want to work smarter, not necessarily harder,” he says. Still, you can find Alan rushing around, hosting visitors, chatting with staff, caring for the animals, and overseeing more than 30 varieties of lavender during the very busy growing season. “It’s been a wonderful thing for me. It’s given me a very healthy existence, I’ve got great staff, I get to do whatever I want, and I’ve got my animals. If I were 50, I think I’d do it differently. I’d have five farms and 20 shops and be an idiot, driven business guy just like I was,” he says. “Sometimes your retirement is dropped on you like a bomb,” says Alan. “None of us are getting out of here alive, so I think I’ve been very fortunate in where I am now. I’ve ended up loving every minute.” |
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THE ULTIMATE REWARD by KATE ROBERTSON With heavy time commitments during the working and parenting stages of life, volunteering/working overseas (or even in our own neighbourhood) can be an unattainable endeavour. But with more time being freed up at retirement, many people turn to volunteering to obtain personal fulfillment or give back to their community. When work life ended for Vancouver’s Bev Taylor in 2001, she started volunteering for various causes in her own community, then moved to overseas volunteer work. It started with a trip to India on a home-build project with Habitat for Humanity. “We were a group of women building houses for women – women who were widowed or abandoned or head of household because their husbands were unable to work,” says Bev. When she returned home from that project, Bev started volunteering in the finance and accounting department at the local Habitat for Humanity in Los Angeles, where she was living at the time. Then, one of her daughters, a medical doctor who had joined Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 2010, suggested she apply to work for them as well. “She said they needed people with my experience and assured me I’d really like it,” recalls Bev. “When I reminded her that I had never worked in the medical/health industry, she told me how much administrative support is needed to make the projects possible. I applied and was accepted.” Bev’s first mission was a six-month stint in South Sudan. She found the work so fulfilling that after a year’s break, she accepted a one-year mission in Swaziland, then another sixmonth mission in Tanzania. “Of course, I have always taken a break between missions – to recover, to tend to my home, and to spend time with family and friends. And now I only do shorter missions. 28 26
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Last year, I spent three months in Yemen and I am now preparing to go to Iraq for three months.” While MSF is not strictly volunteer (it pays for travel to the mission country, looks after food and lodging and pays a small salary), the monthly salary is well below the wage a person would earn at home. Sometimes the living conditions can be very challenging – harsh conditions such as living in a tent, extreme heat or isolation and threat of disease. Volunteers don’t choose their placements – MSF matches the worker’s skill sets with the project needs. A volunteer can also refuse the offer of a mission. “I have never refused a mission,” says Bev, “but I might if I felt there was extreme risk for my survival, including kidnapping, or for my health.” Wondering what a typical day on an MSF mission might look like? According to Bev, “there is no typical day. For example, my one-year mission in Swaziland was for HIV/AIDS and TB. Because it was a long-term project in a non-conflict country with virtually no security risks and no emergency, working there was basically 9-5, five days a week. On an emergency mission, such as the response to a natural disaster or cholera outbreak, we might work 10-12 hours a day, seven days a week. That means eat, work, sleep.” “Working in a country such as Yemen, where there is significant risk for our safety,” Bev continues, “usually means almost complete confinement. We live and work in the same building, travel as little as possible under very strict protocol, probably working long hours and often six days a week. Team spirit is important because it’s only four or five expats depending on one
ABOVE | Bev Taylor holds a baby in South Sudan on her first Médecins Sans Frontières volunteer mission. Photo: Bev Taylor
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another for any social activities. The long hours and stress of an emergency project can be quite exhausting. On the other hand, the boredom of a 9-5 type project can be really trying,” she says, “I depend on the Vancouver Library for e-books, so I always have something to read.” There is also the issue of homesickness. Bev says access to the internet is often the only lifeline to family and, fortunately, even in remote locations, logistics teams install satellite access. “Some of my friends think I’m crazy,” Bev shares, “but most are now used to my MSF ‘habit.’ Since one of my daughters also works with MSF, she gets it. My other daughter jokes that it’s good I had a second child who is willing to look after our affairs while her sister and I are flitting around the world.” But what some people might not realize, is that it can be difficult to come back home after a placement, as well. “For me, culture shock is worse coming home than going to a new country. When I embark on a mission, I have an idea of what I will find when I get there, especially having travelled to developing countries in the past. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to deal with some of the deplorable conditions people might be living in or violence that might be taking place. Not at all,” says Bev. “But the disparity is so great when returning to the excess that is part of our lives in the West. Although you’d think it gets easier the more missions a person takes, it’s not necessarily true. Post-traumatic stress is not at all uncommon for returning field workers, and MSF offers peer and professional counselling for anyone who needs it.” All things considered, however, for Bev the satisfaction far outweighs the downsides to overseas volunteering. “Being able to interact with beneficiaries and see the difference you can make in people’s lives is the ultimate reward. It is a wonderful experience getting to know the culture of each country and working with the locals. One of the most enjoyable things for me is that I get to teach and coach the national staff who are under my supervision, which means they get to learn/practice a discipline that gives them more employment opportunities going forward.” “I feel fortunate,” says Bev. “After retirement from the corporate world, I found a new adventure doing work that I love. Being involved with humanitarian projects has changed my life. It is the most satisfying work I’ve ever done.” |
Interested in overseas work? Bev’s advice: • Be willing to respect the culture and follow the customs of the country; • It helps if you’ve previously travelled outside of Canada; • Be prepared to live in conditions unlike what you’re used to, sometimes harsh, and to eat the local food; • Be ready to work in a team environment because it will be critical to the success of the project and possibly your survival; • Good health is a must.
For more info: Habitat for Humanity: www.habitat.ca Doctors Without Borders/MSF: www.doctorswithoutborders.ca
Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society (250) 753‐6911 admin@cvims.org cvims.org
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LET PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS BE YOUR LEGACY TO THE WORLD Your belief in human rights for all, forever, can live on. Join us as a Human Rights Guardian by leaving a gift in your Will to Amnesty International and be an enduring voice for freedom and justice.
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REDUCE SEASONAL ALLERGIES by DR. STEPHANIE BAYLISS ND Although the spring brings with it warmer weather, longer days and colourful flowers, for many, it also comes with seasonal allergies as pollens are being released. These are considered environmental allergies, although there are also many other types of allergies such as food or anaphylactic. In addition to seasonal allergies, environmental allergies include reactions to mold and pet dander. Dust mites can also cause symptoms year-round. Environmental allergies often manifest as hay fever, with symptoms of sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, headaches and an increase in asthmatic symptoms. These symptoms are a result of an over-aggressive immune response by an excessive release of histamine and are typically managed by antihistamines such as Claritin or Reactine. Using antihistamines is effective in the short-term, but ultimately does not treat the cause of why the person is experiencing allergies. Below are my top five ways to manage allergies this season – and beyond. Heal Your Gut The gut microbiome is an important indicator of overall health and an imbalance of bacteria has been shown to influence one’s susceptibility to allergic reactions. New research demonstrates that the addition of beneficial gut bacteria – through the addition of probiotics – can help minimize
allergies. When purchasing a probiotic, look for human strain, found in the refrigerator and with a mix of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium bacteria. Optimize Your Diet One of the most clinically effective ways I have found to manage allergy symptoms are to avoid foods that cause sensitivities. It is important to elucidate the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity. A food allergy is when there is an immediate reaction following consumption of the food, such as hives, watery eyes or difficulty breathing. In contrast, a food sensitivity results in a delayed immune reaction to food, usually within 72 hours. A potential example is having digestive disturbances or joint pain after eating something two days prior. Eating foods to which you are sensitive activates your immune system and can theoretically make it over-reactive to potential allergens, including environmental allergens such as pollen. To determine foods you may be sensitive to, complete an elimination diet and avoid the most commonly sensitive foods for a period of six to eight weeks. The foods people are most commonly sensitive to include wheat (gluten), grains, dairy, eggs and sugar. The best results will be found with a strict avoidance, and then a strategic re-introduction of the foods that were avoided, one at a time, to see if your body
When the whole world fades away your support is there. For someone who’s losing their sight, it can seem like the whole world is fading away. But with a legacy gift in your will for CNIB, you’ll be there for people in your community at this crucial time in their lives. For more information about making a legacy gift, call Ruth D’Souza at 1-800-563-2642 (ext. 7006) or email legacyservices@cnib.ca.
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reacts to them. Reactions could include an aggravation of hay fever symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation or even seemingly unrelated symptoms such as headaches or joint pain. Immunotherapy Sublingual immunotherapy, also known as SLIT, is a process of allergy desensitization. This works specifically for environmental allergens, such as pollens, grass, mold and various danders from cats and dogs. It has been used effectively for over 60 years and there are many scientific articles that demonstrate its safety and effectiveness. These studies have proven it to be an effective treatment option for hay fever, chronic sinusitis (congestion) and allergic asthma. SLIT involves a scratch test to determine your reaction to various allergens, then, based on your reactions, a prescription for a sublingual drop formulation is produced that contains small amounts of your allergens. These drops are taken daily, which leads to a re-training of your immune system, resulting in less sensitivity to your allergens. Allergy drops are safe for children over the age of three, as well as individuals who are highly sensitive and prone to allergic reactions. With the World Health Organization’s endorsement, it is a safer and more convenient alternative than the conventionally offered allergy injections. Herbal Antihistamines Quercetin is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid (plant pigment) that provides colour to fruits and vegetables. It works to minimize the release of histamine, which causes runny nose and watery eyes. Similar to antihistamines – but without side effects like fatigue – quercetin also has the added bonus of being an antioxidant. Taking quercetin prior to exposure of the allergen, as well as during exposure to the allergen, will decrease the release of histamine and therefore the allergic response of itchy, watery eyes and runny nose. Immune Support Vitamin C can decrease levels of histamine and help reduce allergy symptoms. Research has shown it to be effective at doses of 2000 mg a day. Be aware, however, taking too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea; therefore, I typically recommend patients work up dosing slowly. An alternative to supplementing includes adding foods that are rich in vitamin C to your diet. Foods highest in vitamin C include red peppers, kiwis, oranges, strawberries and black currants. General recommendations for improving seasonal allergies include getting a HEPA air filter in your home and having a HEPA filter on your vacuum. Ensure you are washing clothing and bedding in hot water one time per week and keeping pets out of the bedroom. If possible, replace carpet with tile or hardwood floors to reduce dust and allergen accumulation in the home. Finally, it is important to get enough sleep, stay hydrated, exercise and see your primary care provider to explore treatment options and receive a referral to an allergist when necessary. |
Caregiving You don’t have to do it alone
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A BIG BIRDING YEAR by JOAN BOXALL Birding is about to get bigger with an amazing year ahead. The Year of the Bird, according to The National Geographic Society, the Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and BirdLife International, marks the 100th anniversary since the signing of The Migratory Bird Treaty Act. That equates to protection, celebration and partnerships in the birding world. Bird-watching is a national hobby, yet has a broader definition that includes listing, listening and studying birds, also known as… birding. Watch. Eavesdrop. Jot it down. Look it up. Check it off. Join an expert guide (who’ll recommend a downloadable app). Know what you’re looking at to verify what you’re seeing and hearing. The Lower Mainland of Vancouver has over 31 viewing spots as summarized by Eric Greenwood and Wayne Weber in their book, The Birder’s Guide to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, with an interactive map available online.
is a real-life Pokémon-Go game, where birders “go” locate and capture feathered creatures – with field glasses, camera lenses and scopes. “The trees are dripping with gems,” says Catherine whose apps consist of everything from environmental assessments for Bird Studies Canada (BSC) to bird-guiding in Antarctica. BSC holds a Biking with the Birds Ride in Ladner, celebrating Vancouver’s Migratory Bird Week along with HUB cycling Delta, which tours Westham Island and the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. We bag a pair of nesting bald eagles, relish red-winged and Brewer’s blackbirds, behold a brown-headed cowbird, who donates its eggs to others to nest and raise, swoop in on swallows (barn, tree, northern rough-winged, and violet-green) before wheeling gently on to Reifel Sanctuary, several kilometres away. There, we spot dabbling ducks (the ones who dabble versus dive for their food): northern shovellers, pintails, gadwalls, and American widgeons.
Here are two of those spots in Metro Vancouver: 1. Westham Island and the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary Area: 300 hectares of wetland, marsh and low dykes along the Fraser River Estuary Location: Along the western edge of the village of Ladner in Delta, BC, in the heart of the Fraser River Estuary. Birding brings out the hunter/gatherer in us all according to Catherine Jardine of Bird Studies Canada. Birding 32 30
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ABOVE | A male Sandhill crane in rust-stained plumage takes a turn at the nest. ABOVE INSET | A male wood duck features a bright white “bridle” and his mate, white around her eye. PAGE 30 | Biking birders take their eyes off the skies to pose for a photo. Photos: Joan Boxall
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Catherine gives us insight into their explosive sex lives. Who knew ducks had corkscrew penises? (Only three per cent of over 10,000 bird species do.) Who knew females ducks had cul-de-sac vagina pouches to waylay interlopers? The short-billed dowitchers probing the mud with sewing-machine beaks look bashful by comparison. Speaking of bird sex, a pair of Sandhill cranes is nesting. We’ve missed his two-metre-wing-wag-with-head-pump mating dance. He’s sedately on the nest while she grazes on seeds and insects, oblivious to us. Catherine tells us this adult female is 20 years old and that the immature male bows (and leaps) to her experience. “Learn more about Citizen Science with Bird Studies Canada,” says Catherine. “We have many volunteers that are retirees looking to contribute to conservation.” A peregrine falcon soars, great blue herons fish, and western sandpipers pick their way along the shore sucking up
biofilm (omega-3 fuel) for their migratory journeys. In the distance, hundreds of matefor-life snow geese flurry. We’re on their Pacific Flyway, a major north-south bird highway from Alaska to Patagonia. Catherine reminds us of the International Ornithological Congress coming to Vancouver’s Convention Centre in August 2018. It has been held in Canada only once since 1884; and is an-everyfour-year Olympic event for thousands of birders and three thousand bird scientists.
The congress will coincide with the Vancouver International Bird Festival (VIBF), a cross-hatch of a United Nations initiative called World Migratory Bird Day. “Vancouver is on the doorstep of Canada’s premier birding hotspot, the Fraser River Delta that hosts internationally significant birds each year. The Vancouver International Bird Festival is our way of celebrating the world of birds,” says the Chair of VIBF Dr. Rob Butler on their website.
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Give a second chance at a happy life. . . there is no better gift you can give to a wild animal in need. Include a gift in your Will or designate a life insurance policy to the BC SPCA to set wings flapping! Visit us today at spca.bc.ca/foreverguardian or contact Yolanda Benoit ybenoit@spca.bc.ca 1.800.665.1868
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Begin your legacy today. To learn more about making a gift to St. Paul’s Foundation in your will, please visit:
2. Maplewood Flats Conservation Area Area: 96 hectares of intertidal zone, mud flats, salt marsh: 30 hectares upland area. Location: Two kilometres east of Second Narrows Bridge, Burrard Inlet, North Vancouver. The Wild Bird Trust of BC manages the conservation area at Maplewood Flats, mandated to protect wild birds and their habitats. Volunteers transformed industrial fill into freshwater wetland and trail systems 25 years ago. They now maintain one of BC’s largest purple martin colonies and host an annual Return of the Osprey Festival. Free nature walks and special events occur with regularity, like last spring’s Birds on the Shore. For early birds, meet up for a Dawn Chorus with naturalist Al Grass. A tamer ten-o-clock start occurs at the site office on secondSaturdays-of-the-month adjacent to the Corrigan Nature House, where the whiteboard tacked outside lists all the latest bird sightings. We sight black-headed grosbeaks, black-capped chickadees and spotted towhees delighting in a birdfeeder brunch. A pair of American goldfinches flashes a yellow hello.
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Our View on Independent Seniors Living: The view from our deck is awe-inspiring. Inside, you can count on dedication to caring for your aging but still independent loved ones. Clean, modern, bright suites; housekeeping support; healthy, homecooked meals (including the best soups in town); an activity and recreation program; VIHA care aide services available in-house 7 days a week; secure, safe, supportive, and friendly environment. Oak Tree Manor is located in the heart of downtown Nanaimo, and is also the most affordable seniors independent living facility in the area. Give us a call or drop us an email to set up an opportunity to discuss whether OTM is a good fit for your loved one.
Email: enjoylife@oaktreemanor.ca
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A wheelchair-accessible trail leads to the mudflat-viewing area. A song-sparrow soundtrack plays, in real time. We recall how Al led us here once before when a Cooper’s hawk unsettled a murder of crows. We learn something new every time from this legendary bird envoy. In an Al Grass feature in The North Shore News, he says, “a good lesson for discovering… other birds of prey (is) a mob of crows… making a big fuss. And when crows get excited, it’s always worth checking out to see what they’ve discovered - an owl, a hawk, a raccoon and sometimes a cat.” Whether visiting Reifel Sanctuary, Maplewood Conservation Area, or any one of the parks and waterfront areas within the Metro Vancouver area, 2018 will be a big-birding year. Big Bird himself notably said, “Never refer to me as an item. I’m a bird.” Spot-on, Big Bird. Birders are ready for an opportunity that’s taking flight. | WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
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ON AN ISLAND GETAWAY by THELMA FAYLE Rob Selmanovic may be a brilliant somatic yoga teacher, but when you hear the Hollyhock chef peal the breakfast gong, you drop your relaxation pose and dash like an upward facing dog to the dining hall. The delicious, mostly-vegetarian food is legendary, but forewarning: getting to and from the remote Cortes Island lifelong learning centre founded in 1983 isn’t easy. It’s three ferry rides from Vancouver – off the west coast of Canada. But the food alone is worth all efforts. In six visits to Hollyhock over the last two decades, I have made the most of the “clothing optional” beach. But since there was a photography course being offered during my August holiday, causing the beach to be thick with a photographer bloom; I decided to make my bathing suit my birthday suit on the morning of my 60th. In the ocean just after 6 a.m. and exhilarated at beginning the new decade with a west coast swim; I walked out of the sea as the sun was coming up. My partner, Daryl, one of the student photographers, took an amazing photo. Not many women my age will appreciate being pictured in a bathing suit, but the dawn lighting in silhouette can be generous. I recommend all who venture to try this shot: steer clear of side views. Later, on my second morning swim, I tread water and chatted with Stacy, a hospice nurse of 35 years from Utah. The cold surrounding H2O makes for an instant bond and a 36 34
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succinct chat between two chilling gals. As a hospice volunteer, I was able to share a few Canadian palliative tales about the progressive wonders of our hospice scene. I headed to the outdoor hot tub to warm up, and met two young girls, 14 and 15, who told me about their hopes – one of becoming a psychiatrist and the other was thinking she might like to be a counsellor. Hollyhock is a friendly place where exchanging personal yarns is the norm. I suggested they may find some career hunting tips in the old standard What Colour is Your Parachute book that gets updated every year. Not sure, but I think they gave me the polite smile-for-the-old-fogey nod. They did savvy me up on the latest island teenage trend of midnight bioluminescence swims while enjoying their last work-free summer. The evening of my 60th was capped with a three-hour kayak paddle to witness bioluminescence with a group of a dozen paddlers all wearing multi-coloured glo-in-the-dark halos. Two guides, wearing Rudolf-esque red headlamps, bracketed our group. By 9 p.m. the water and the trees in front of us were ravenblack with only a faintly discernable horizon of treetops against the slightly lighter sky. By the time we reached Big Rock Bay, the
ABOVE | The author takes a swim on the morning of her 60th birthday as her partner captures a sunrise silhouette. Photo: Daryl Jones
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bioluminescence was thick in the wake of each kayak and paddle stroke. The swirl of brilliant sparkle reminded me of the stuff that shoots out of Tinkerbell’s wand. Trailing a hand in the water aside the kayak ignited the plankton in the same way. One of the paddlers, the younger of an aunt-and-niece team visiting from Thailand, wondered aloud if “humans had the capacity to shine in as exhilarated a fashion as the plankton does.” The translucent spark in the water damn near brought her to tears. Lazing away on the beach the next morning, reading The Cleft by Doris Lessing, made me realize I really like being a slug on a holiday. After all these years, that was new information. We had planned to go for a swim in Hague Lake, only because of the description given by a young “Cortezian” man (as he called himself): When I asked why anyone would swim in a lake with the ocean right there, he said: “because you feel so clean when you come out of that pristine water.” But when we got there, a very long line of cars parked along the road discouraged us. We retreated to swim in the sea. Aside from the photography class, there were two other courses being offered. I had a chance to chat with participants from both. The “Myth of Aging” participants were struck by their leader, Martha Peterson’s discussion of pandiculation and sensory motor amnesia. I had to buy the book after chatting with one enthralled participant. Tracy Theemes presented an excellent evening to Hollyhock guests and the Cortes community members. Money, Mindfulness and Magic offered some insightful financial empowerment ideas about reducing the unproductive shame so many people connect with having too much money or not enough money. She was full of fresh takes about personal finances. “Your financial situation should be as beautiful as the Hollyhock garden,” she says, “somewhat random and rambling, but more or less well-planned, well-ordered, and well-maintained.” Another presenter-evening allowed Charles Steinberg, the photography instructor, to show some of the fine work of his nine students aged 14 to 70. The images looked like the product of a high-end LA photo shoot and hardly the work of beginners. Sunsets, beaches, birds, and skateboard park scenes communicated how students had worked hard to find fresh, passionate expression. As a bonus, Steinberg showed the audience of 60 curious guests a few images from his work as a physician in Sierra Leone during the ebola epidemic. “I needed to go there,” he said as he began his presentation. The doctor, photography instructor, and one of the co-founders of Hollyhock was every bit the inspiring presenter Daryl had found in the classroom over the five-day course. Sitting out front of our beach cottage on the last day, soaking in the scape of ocean, mountains and massive trees, I feel saturated with soothing holiday contentment. Being 60 feels exhilarating. Just a few feet away, an apple falls from the tree beside me. With time to ponder, I wonder: whatever could that mean? The introduction to somatic yoga practice has me acutely aware and pondering more than usual. | Thelma Fayle is a Canadian freelance writer. She was a paying guest of Hollyhock on Cortes Island, BC.
Discover Your
Travel Groove
by BARBARA RISTO, Publisher
Dining in Dubai At the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in Dubai, our Emirate host demonstrated the dining etiquette of eating with one hand. Kneeling throughout the meal, portions of rice and steaming curried stew are scooped up with the right hand and kneaded into a ball that is then popped into the mouth. Our attempts to do the same resulted in most of us resorting to knife and fork to finish our meal. Our host joked that kneeling can be an effective diet plan because you’re inclined to stop eating when your knees start hurting. This experience was part of a Collette guided tour. (Read more online at www.
seniorlivingmag.com/dubai-cultural-centre)
Explore More When asked what they’d like to do after age 55, most of our readers tell us they want to travel more. Two INSPIRED articles this issue take you to parts of the world that are off the beaten path - Jordan and Mt. Fuji, Japan. If you feel like exploring either of these places, several Collette guided tours offer access to these destinations. Treasures of Egypt River Cruise 13 Days | 22 Meals | From $2839 Dubai, Oman & Abu Dhabi 13 Days | 20 Meals | From $5479 Jordan 3 night tour can be added to both these trips | From $1485 Cultural Treasures of Japan 14 Days | 21 Meals | From $7519 Take in the magnificent views of Mt. Fuji from the Kachi Kachi Ropeway. Discover more tours at www.collette.com Claim your $100 INSPIRED Membership Credit Our partnership with Collette allows our readers to claim a $100 INSPIRED membership credit when you book any tour with Collette using the code INSPIRED. Book with your travel professional or call Collette at 1-800-468-5955. Join our monthly INSPIRED Travel E-Newsletter Receive advance notice about special travel deals, upcoming tours hosted by INSPIRED magazine, and more inspiring articles and helpful travel tips. Sign up at www.seniorlivingmag.com/travelnews.
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To Move or Not to Move? A Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residential Options To Move or Not to Move?
This 128 page book provides helpful, easy to read information and suggestions to help seniors and their families understand the decisions they need to make. Whether you decide to stay in your O N L.9Y5 home or move, this book will help $+ 1S&4H & GST you navigate to where you want to be. Are you a senior who has been wondering lately whether you should consider moving? Perhaps the maintenanc e current home is more difficult due to diminishing of your energy. Or you may want ability or a lifestyle that allows you more freedom and less responsibili ty. In either case, this book will help you ask the important 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 independenc e 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.
$14.95 in Canada
Magazine
Published by INSPIRED Senior Living magazine, a division of Stratis Publishing Inc.
INSPIRED Senior Living
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.
To Move or Not to Move?
A Helpful Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residen tial Options
COMFORT WITHOUT COMPROMISE by CALLIE MARTIN
British Columbia edition
INSP IRED senior living magazine
For some the right decision might be to stay right where you are, but for others it may be time to consider other options. This book outlines many of the opportunities, the pros and cons of the various types of housing and offers resources to investigate further. For seniors, or families of seniors, this book is the ideal place to start asking the questions and discovering the answers. NAME___________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ PHONE _________________________
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In a world dominated by leggings, jeggings and yoga pants, designers are increasingly in support of providing more comfortable options for clientele that highlight functionality in tandem with fashion. Though many believe cozy clothes are limited strictly to athleisure wear, numerous fabrics and tailoring techniques are being used to ensure that keeping you comfy does not keep you trapped in your pyjama pants. Many of us strive for a put-together, clean silhouette, yet there is a common misconception that it comes with a price; namely, your comfort. From waistbands that cut into you when you sit down, to shoes you can only wear for 35 minutes before your “little piggies” cry all the way home, the old saying that “beauty is pain” has never felt more on point. Though the creator of that saying was likely wearing something ill-fitted, there are steps you can take (and rules you can follow) to incorporate comfy fashion into your daily wardrobe without sacrificing style.
THE FIT
Too many of us have long suffered in silence at a dinner party,
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smiling and making polite conversation with guests while a belt has slowly imprinted itself into our abdomen, or felt the relief that comes from removing a too-tight pair of heels. If something in your wardrobe is hurting you when you’re sitting/ standing/living, it may be the wrong size. As many of us know, there is no true “one size fits all,” and that applies to any numeric clothing as well. Many believe if you are standing straight and your dress/shirt/pants look good and are not “pulling” anywhere, they must fit. Hence, the “squat test” is critically important in fashion (and fitting rooms). When trying on any new clothing for the first time, be sure to practice your daily range of movement in them. You wouldn’t buy a pair of running shoes without taking them on a quick lap around the store, so why purchase a fitted blouse without stretching out your arms to make sure you’re not buying a corset in disguise? Almost any item of clothing can look good if all we do is stand still, but unless you’re employed as a human mannequin, clothing must provide a little more functionality. At times, this might mean you will have to “size up” your clothing, resulting in it being too baggy in another area. This brings me to the importance of tailors – an often-forgotten industry created to solve this precise issue. A proper tailor can adjust your clothing where needed, resulting in you having enough room for daily activities while not constricting your breathing, or leaving red marks on your skin when the offending item is finally removed.
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Nearly any item of clothing can instantly go from “très chic” to “too casual” with the wrong choice of material, which is especially notable in “comfy” clothing. Most types of “sweat” clothing (pants or shirts) are made from a heavy knit of a cotton/polyester blend. As comfy as these clothes are for lounging, they’re not going to do you any favours when you leave your house. A beautiful coat made in tweed will simply not look the same if made from the same material you speed-walk around the block in, nor have the same connotations as the original. To remain comfortable – but not dowdy – try to pick fabrics you would avoid at the gym, but still allow for breathability and comfort. For a hot day, linen often provides a clean look while still allowing for maximum ventilation (there is a reason it is such a popular choice in Miami). Cotton is also a popular choice but watch for any “blends” with spandex if you are going for a dressier look. In addition, keep your eyes out for flowing dresses that nip you in at the waist, but then cascade out. These “princess” silhouettes allow for an easy, breezy outfit that keeps you comfortable without making you look too relaxed. “Tent” dresses are also a popular option but be sure to pair them with a belt at your waistline to avoid getting swallowed up by the excess fabric. Comfy clothing will always be in style – and with the proper fit and fabric choice – you will be too. |
EMAK
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INSPIRED * senior living magazine
We are looking for adventuresome women, over the age of 55, willing to undergo a makeover including hair, makeup and fashion. To qualify: - hair length needs to be long enough so our stylist has something to work with — close to shoulder length or longer - must attend hair and clothes fitting appointments in Vancouver Trained Nick Arrojo, Hana Akai features Arrojo hair care 1-2 weeks priorby to the show products. Hana is also with an educator of Redken - absolutely willing to cooperate our stylists and show staff brand products. If you want a stylist who will provide supportive You will complete your makeover transformation at our upcomingadvice, quality products and ina Vancouver precisiononhair that works foryou your lifestyle, call 55+ Lifestyle Show Septcut 23 (9am-3pm) where Hana to book styling appointment. will be presented on stage. Your your photosnext and story will be featured in upcoming issues of INSPIRED Senior Living. Colour Specialist • Precision Haircutting • Make-up Application
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JORDAN: TIMELESS MAGIC AND MYSTERY by MARILYN JONES Ancient historic sites and beautiful desert landscapes make Jordan an amazing destination. Petra, most often associated with this Middle Eastern country, is only the tip of the sand dune. There are castles and palaces, Biblical sites and Roman ruins, deserts and mountains; each with its own beauty and story to tell. My tour with Exodus Travels – Hidden Treasures of Jordan – is designed to allow guests time to explore the less well-known historic and archaeological treasures, as well as Petra.
Jerash I enter through the Arch of Hadrian, built to honour the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian in 129 AD. Sprawling out before me is Jerash, one of the world’s best preserved ancient Roman sites. The city, dating back 6,500 years, came under Roman rule when it was conquered by General Pompey in 63 BC. The miracle here is the desert’s sand buried the settlement after it was abandoned leaving much of it intact. Excavation and restoration began only 70 years ago. Jerash was one of the 10 cities making up the Decapolis, a league of cities in eastern Palestine that was formed after the Roman conquest and Pompey reorganized the Middle East to Rome’s advantage. The cities were grouped together because of their language, culture and location. Other Jordan Decapolis cities were Gadara (Umm Qays), Raphana, Dion, Pella, Gerasa and Philadelphia (Amman). In Israel: Scythopolis (Bet She’an) and Hippos. In Syria: Damascus and Canatha. 40 38
INSPIRED SENIOR LIVING
By the third century AD, an estimated 20,000 people lived in the city. Several events led to its decline including pillaging of its temples to build Christian churches under Emperor Justinian in the 6th century and the Muslim conquest of the region in the 7th century. This decline worsened when an earthquake struck in 747 AD. By the 13th century, Jerash lay uninhabited. I walk along a wide paved street and envision what it was like to live in this thriving city a millennium ago. Towering columns line the street as I pass temples, colosseums, plazas and baths. At the heart of Jerash is the Forum or Oval Plaza enclosed by 160 columns. From here, I follow The Cardo street lined with columns running the length of the city. Once fronted with the city’s major buildings, shops and residences, a complex drainage system lies below the stone paving. I can even see chariot tracks in the stone.
Gadara Less dramatic, but still impressive, is Gadara (now called Umm Qais). Gadara first appeared in history when it fell in battle but was restored to Roman rule by Pompey. A member of the Decapolis, the city is mentioned in the New Testament as the site where Jesus cast out demons and sent them into pigs, who then ran into the sea (Matthew 8:28-34). Houses here were actually lived in until 1974, when residents moved to make way for further excavation and restoration of the
ABOVE | At the heart of Jerash is Forum or Oval Plaza enclosed by 160 columns. TOC PAGE | Temple of Hercules is one of the Citadel’s links to the past. Photos: Marilyn Jones
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site. I think about how much fun it must have been for children growing up here to play hide-and-go-seek among the ruins. Since excavations began in 1974, archaeologists have uncovered many impressive remains, including three large theatres, a temple and a colonnaded street. The site offers an incredible vantage point of three countries (Jordan, Syria, and Israel and the Palestinian Territories), encompassing the Golan Heights, Mt Hermon and the Sea of Galilee.
Wadi Rum Protected Area Wadi Rum is a vast desert covering 725-square-kms featuring sandstone and granite mountains reaching heights of more than 1,524 metres. And it is beautiful. Fine sand blows across the landscape creating wave-like shapes and mountainous sand dunes. I take a jeep tour through narrow canyons, stop to see ancient rock drawings etched by desert dwellers and pass large Bedouin camps with tents made of goat-hair before stopping with other visitors to watch the dramatic sunset over the landscape. After spending the night in one of the Bedouin camps, I rise just before dawn to take a near-two-hour journey into the desert on camelback. The “ship of the desert” plods along in quietude. There is only a whisper of wind; the dramatic landscape and its loveliness.
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Parksville Sand Castles and Quadra Island
August 13 - 15, 2018 A great 3 day adventure to the largest and most populous of the Discovery Islands, Quadra Island. Lying on the Northern East coast of Vancouver Island, Quadra Island is an amazing community to discover. The culture of the first nations community and the treasures of the close knit artistic residents are worth exploring. It is a clean unspoiled environment surrounded by breathtaking coastal scenery. 4 Meals - $625 Cdn PP dble occ plus gst. $705 Cdn Single plus gst. Book before May 31st & save $50 pp. Other Tours: JUN 23 Kootenay Hot Springs (6 days) JUL 19 France Magnifique (15 days) SEPT 1 Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, South Dakota Badland (15 days) OCT 15 Cascade Fall Foliage (6 days) DEC 4 Chemainus, Victoria (3 days) DEC 13 Warm Beach, Leavenworth (4 days) JAN 19 Costa Rica (9 days)
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Amman Amman, Jordan’s vibrant capital city was conquered by the Romans in 63 BC. Ruling for four centuries, evidence of their time in what was called Philadelphia can be seen at the restored theatre and Citadel. The theatre is cut into the northern side of a hill and has a seating capacity of 6,000. More than likely built in the 2nd century AD; it was created on three tiers for the rulers, the military and the public. The impressive structure is located near Grand Al-Husseini Mosque and the main shopping area for locals; also well worth a visit. The Citadel sits on the highest hill in Amman. Occupied since the Bronze Age, it is surrounded by a wall, which was rebuilt many times during the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as the Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad periods. The Citadel is a wealth of historic remains and restoration including the Temple of Hercules and the Ummayad Palace. The museum here is impressive and features relics from the site, as well as other sites throughout Jordan. Views of the city from the Citadel are impressive, including the Roman Theatre below. Although the Jordan Museum, located next to the City Hall, is closed for a private function when I visit Amman, it is considered one of the best museums in the Middle East. Chronicling Jordan’s history from the first people through the Nabataean civilization and the modern era, highlights include the oldest-known human statues (the 9,500-year-old plaster mannequins of Ain Ghazal), Jordan’s share of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a host of remains from Petra and other sites throughout the country.
TRAVEL PROTECTION BOB & TERESA MARSHALL
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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Petra
BC CANCER NEEDS WILLING PARTNERS. When you remember the BC Cancer Foundation in your will, you’ll be advancing care and research at BC Cancer that transforms outcomes and provides comfort for patients tomorrow. Please be sure to use the full legal name of our organization: BC Cancer Foundation Registration Number: 11881 8434 RR0001
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I always thought of Petra as the Treasury and a few caves. In reality, Petra is a destination where you need days to properly explore its secrets; many yet to be discovered. Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, dates back as far as 312 BC when it served as the capital city of the nomadic Nabataeans. There is only one way in: along a long and narrow chasm. My guide, Omar Hamadeen, points out several interesting features as we walk nearly a mile through the passage past tombs, a sacred place where marriages took place and ancient carvings. When the chasm opens up, the Treasury appears dramatically before me. The atmosphere is festive with hundreds of people posing for pictures, locals selling jewelry and scarves, and camel rides on offer. The Treasury is only the beginning. On we walk into this mysterious place, past tombs, a theatre and temples. Various walks and climbs reveal hundreds of buildings, colonnaded streets, baths, arched gateways and rock drawings, as well as a 3,000-seat open-air theatre and a gigantic 1st-century monastery. I was welcomed by the Jordanian people with open arms. From children to senior citizens, I heard “you are welcome” and “welcome to Jordan” over and over again. The people, the sites and the mystery are the reasons I would return to Jordan to relive this land of magic and mystery. | For more information and additional photos, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/jordan-magic-and-mystery
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Forever Fit DON’T GIVE YOUR WARM-UP THE COLD SHOULDER
I belong here, breathing easy
by EVE LEES Warming up prior to your workout or activity helps prepare you both physically and mentally for physical exertion. It’s not a good idea to warm up incorrectly or to avoid doing it altogether. Warming up raises body temperature and heart rate. This enables more oxygen-rich blood to circulate throughout your body, preparing the muscles, and “greasing” the joints to move through a full range of motion. For workouts or sports events that last under one hour, a three- to five-minute warm-up is sufficient. You can do this by brisk walking, doing a light jog, or by using the “cardio” equipment in the gym (the exercise bike or treadmill). For weight training workouts, after the short cardio warmup, imitate the exercise you are about to do using little or no resistance, such as using only the bar without adding weights when doing the bench press. Or you can add dynamic movements, such as arm circles before you do the bench press. Static movements or stretches, held for 20 to 30 seconds, are best left for after the workout. Static stretching signals your muscles to relax, and you don’t want to encourage this before your workout! To mimic the movement of your sport, without using resistance, do torso rotations and arm swings before tennis, golf or softball. Before playing basketball or tennis, shuffle quickly from side to side, or do lunges or high-knee marches to prepare your body for jumping and quick changes of direction. The same methods for warming up should be applied to cardiovascular exercises and activities, as well. Before you begin that long bike ride, swim laps, or go for a run, start slowly and gradually ease into the activity. Cyclists, runners, hikers and swimmers can warm up with torso rotations, lunges, high-knee marches or brisk walking. Swimmers can add shoulder or arm rotations. When your activity or workout ends, finish off with static stretches. Do one or two stretches for each muscle your activity stressed: slowly ease into the stretch and hold without bouncing. Relax, then repeat once more before moving on to the next stretch. | Eve Lees is a Certified Nutrition Coach, a Health Writer & Speaker, and a former Personal Trainer with over 30 years experience in the health/fitness industry. www.artnews-healthnews.com
Caregiver Respite Do you help care for an adult with mild to moderate cognitive decline and need time for yourself? Enjoy the amenities of Commonwealth Place while your loved one enjoys guest speakers, music, games and more. 874006, Wednesdays, 12:15 – 2:15pm Call 250-475-7619 for program details or visit saanich.ca
Your legacy could be her childhood. “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.” - BARBARA AND BOB STEWART
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Want to learn how to leave a gift in your estate to Variety? Contact Jennifer at 604.268.4038 or jennifer.shang@variety.bc.ca
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What’s Next? By Wendy Johnstone •
Mary cares for her aging father. They live in the same city. She works full-time. When she called the Family Caregivers of BC for some caregiver support, she summarized how difficult it can be for a caregiver and the care recipient to face facts about care. “We had the agonizing and awkward discussions about the “elephant in the room” - the fact that my dad’s health was failing, and he needs more than I can provide. Truth be told, I’m feeling more overwhelmed and stressed because I now realize the extent of the issues.” In Mary’s case, when she and her dad put their boxing gloves down, they both admitted her dad’s health was much worse and that he faced both financial and housing issues. It was the first time Mary fully realized the serious nature of her Dad’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (in fact, she had to look up its meaning) and his diabetes. Her dad also admitted he hadn’t done any upkeep to the family home for at least five years and was too exhausted to start now. Financially, Mary’s dad had recently suffered a loss with a few investments that were going to help pay for his long-term care. Once the discovery is made that more support is needed, the following question from family caregivers is often, “So, what’s next?”
Medical and health issues, i.e., diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems; • The ability to independently perform the basic activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation, medication management, ability to drive or get around town, etc.; • Living arrangements, social network and activities; • Formal services being accessed, if any; • Who else is helping, i.e., children, neighbours, parish, friends, and; • Financial situation and the ability to pay for services. HELP DETERMINE “WHAT’S NEXT” WITH THIS VISUAL AID Many families find it helpful to use a visual aid. Divide a piece of paper with two columns and write a list of what’s currently working in one column and a list of problems or anticipated issues in the other column. Prioritize the challenges and problems. In Mary’s case, she and her Dad felt their first priority was to better understand his health issues and options for treatment. Close behind was to openly discuss finances as it related to future health care costs. Mary travels south for six months of the year and she and her dad needed to talk about starting the intake process with publicly funded home support and who was going to help while she was away, and if there was money for private care and services, if needed. Both of them were reluctant to talk about the house. So, they didn’t. But they will. Prioritizing the issues at hand and having a game plan gives Mary and her dad more peace of mind and some clear direction going forward. |
Wendy Johnstone is a Gerontologist and a consultant with Family Caregivers of British Columbia in Victoria, BC.
Mary and her dad’s “what’s next” is to take stock of what’s working and what’s not with the current situation, including:
For more Caregiver resources Please visit our website for webinars, articles, one-on-one support community resources, support groups, caregiver coaching and more! Visit us at familycaregiversbc.ca. We’re here to help.
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Marketplace COLLECTOR SEEKING vintage/col-
lectable cameras, binoculars and microscopes. Nikon, Leica, Contax, Rolleiflex, Zeiss, Canon, etc. Mike 250-383-6456 or e-mail: msymons6456@telus.net Victoria
SENSUAL MASSAGE. Are you missing touch? I’m a Certified Sexological Bodyworker, I work with Couples and Individuals. Sher 250-889-4166 or email sexeducator@telus.net WANTED Scandinavian Mid Century Furniture from the 50’s & 60’s. Teak, rosewood, leather, and chrome pieces any condition. 250-380-7022. Send an email to lacknerwayne@gmail.com MOTIVATION MEDICS, professional care planners and advocates assure your rights and dignity are upheld as you age. Ph: 778-761-0485, info@motivationmedics.com. www.motivationmedics.com. Need homecare for your loved one? Choose a company with HEART! CAREGiversSM with HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE are thoroughly trained in dementia care, bonded and insured to provide customized homecare for your family’s needs. Book a complimentary care consultation: 250-382-6565 or visit www.HomeInstead.com/victoriabc
COMPANIONSHIP SERVICES, helping seniors through their day in and out of home. Call RJ Angels Care Ltd. 250-8585924 www.rj-angels.com 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 DEBI’S MOBILE HAIR SERVICES
in the comfort of your home for everyone in your family. Serving the Victoria area. Please call Debi at 250-477-7505.
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FOOTCARE: Happy, Healthy Feet make Happy, Healthy People. The more the merrier. Call FootNurse Marcia R.N.,B.Sc.N. 250-686-3081. 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 KULEA LOVE: Companions to appoint-
ments, recreational, social activities to seniors and people in the community feeling lonely and isolated. Victoria 250-216-3039, 778-410-2460
UPCOMING EVENTS May 2 - Uptown Bistro May 9 - Uptown Bistro May 18 - Uptown Bistro May 23 - The Kensington We request participants to get to know each other by attending our group meetings prior to signing up for a trip.
Stay informed. Join our weekly email newsletter. Email singleseniors17@gmail.com. SPONSORED BY
INSPIRED senior living SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
WANTED: OLD POSTCARDS, old photographs, and pre-1950 stamped envelopes. Also buying old coins, medals and badges. Call Michael 250-652-9412 or email fenian@shaw.ca 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. DOWNSIZING?
OVERWHELMED?
Dream Downsizing can take the stress out of a move. Sorting, packing, unpacking, advising, and more. Free estimate call Cathy 250-634-3207. Or visit us online at DreamDownsizing.com BBB
Ads must be paid at time of booking Phone: 250-479-4705 ext 100 office@seniorlivingmag.com Make cheque payable to: Senior Living, Magazine 3354Tennyson Ave., Victoria BC,V8Z3P6
Single Seniors
1 Year (12 issues) for $33.60 (GST & S&H incl.)
OR 2 Years (24 issues)
for $44.10 (GST & S&H incl.)
CDN residents only • INTL call 250-479-4705
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Postal Code
Phone Email
Hidden Maui Paradise 2 Bed, 2 Bath Condo for rent Central Kihei • 250-882-1963 www.hiddenmauiparadise.com WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
Send cheque to: Senior Living 3354 Tennyson Ave., Victoria, BC V8Z 3P6 Questions? Call 250-479-4705 ext 100 office@seniorlivingmag.com
MAY 2018 43 OCTOBER 2009 45 39
Courageous
&
You can always be there for them.
Outrageous by PAT NICHOL
DAILY GUIDELINES FOR AN INSPIRED LIFE
Give a second chance at a happy life… there is no better gift you can give an animal in need. Make a donation of securities or include a gift in your Will to the BC SPCA to set tails wagging! Visit us at spca.bc.ca/foreverguardian, or contact Yolanda Benoit ybenoit@spca.bc.ca 1.800.665.1868
CHAMPIONS WANTED 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.
Contact us for information: 604-736-2957 plannedgiving@rmhbc.ca www.rmhbc.ca
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INSPIRED SENIOR LIVING
I’d like to share some of my guidelines for living an inspired life – every day. I encourage you to try them out! Some will be easy, some you may already do, others, you are saying, “Come on, Pat, give me a break!” If you try them, share your stories with me – and with the world. TEN THINGS TO DO EVERYDAY 1. Smile at yourself in the mirror, first thing. Smile, not grimace. If this requires that you put your glasses on, do it. 2. Be positive. Spend the entire day without saying anything negative. Not only to or about others, but also to and about yourself. 3. As you are leaving your house, look in the mirror again, smile at the person looking back and say, “Hi there, you look fabulous today.” Then, keep that smile bright and share it with everyone you meet. Yours might be the only smile someone receives today. 4. Think about the new and exciting things you are going to tell people who ask, “What’s new”? Tell it to everyone from the barista to those you see often. 5. Practice an introduction of yourself. If you don’t want to spend time with you after hearing it… try again – and practice it. 6. Decide to listen with not only your ears, but also your eyes and your heart. Too often, we listen only to respond. 7. When was the last time you received a handwritten note? Start sending them to friends. Do it for no particular reason; yes, I know, stamps are expensive, but it will be worth it. 8. Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time. 9. Who would you like to meet? Ask friends or acquaintances if they know the person and can introduce you? 10. Remember you are a great person who has interesting, unusual and unique gifts to share. Be open. As I said at the beginning, some of these are easy, some you already do. Step outside your comfort zone and do a few others. If you have your own guidelines for living an inspired life, please send them to me. I am always happy to learn new things. As a final thought, Mother’s Day is this month. If you don’t have a mother here now, find a woman you would like to honour and let her know she’s special. Happy Mother’s Day to you all! | Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Reach her by email at mpatnichol@gmail.com or visit Pat’s website at patnichol.ca
WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
Senior Living... The Berwick Way™ At Berwick Retirement Communities, you will enjoy an unparalleled standard of living at a superior value. Creating a wonderful environment where residents enjoy exceptional services from friendly staff is The Berwick Way. 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 Proud to be BC owned and operated JOB BRC-17779 CLIENT: BERWICK RETIREMENT COMMUNITY PUBLICATION: SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE INSERTION DATE: TBD TRIM: 7.25X4.75 PREPARED BY: ECLIPSE CREATIVE INC. @ 250-382-1103
WIldlIfe legaCIes If you are interested in making a living Will or leaving a legacy in your Will to North Island Wildlife Recovery Association, please email us at wildlife@niwra.org for a brochure & video.
We provide care to critically sick, injured and orphaned wildlife such as eagles, owls, song birds and black bears. Help care for these animals by partnering with us through your legacy gift or donation.
THEY DEPEND ON US, AND WE DEPEND ON YOU...
THaNK YOU fOR YOUR sUPPORT!
North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre 250-248-8543 Box 364, 1240 Leffler Road Errington, BC
Please visit our website under “How to Help” at
www.niwra.org WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
BN119060549RR0001
MAY 2018
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I didn’t expect to feel so comfortable here. At Amica you can expect to feel at home. Whether joining in our daily activities or spending time with family, here you can always enjoy your day the way you want to. Expect first-class amenities, with a range of personalized services and care to always meet your needs.
Discover which of our seven communities is right for you. Book a visit online at amica.ca
Mature Lifestyles WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM 48 10151AMI_ALL_BC_fullpage_Inspired_Snr_GRACE_FA.indd INSPIRED SENIOR LIVING pub: INSPIRED Senior 1Living community: All BC insertion: May, June
riddochcommunications #545 67 mowat ave • toronto • 416.515.7562
2018-04-10 9:59 AM