Senior Living Magazine Island Edition March 2011 by INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine

MARCH 2011 TM

Vancouver Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 50+ Active Lifestyle Magazine

Emerging Entrepreneurs

Turning Passion into ProďŹ t

Unlocking Creativity Boomers hit the slopes for Spring Break www.seniorlivingmag.com

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Sunrise Senior Living understands that you want to do the best for every generation. Since 1981, we’ve championed quality of life for seniors. Sunrise of Victoria provides:

• Exceptional licensed resident care • Excellent accommodations and hospitality services • Diabetes Management Program • A safe and secure residence for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

Sunrise of Victoria 920 Humboldt Street

250-383-1366 www.sunriseseniorliving.ca

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MARCH 2011

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Publisher’s Senior Living magazine began seven years ago in a marketplace that had relatively no understanding about seniors. We began developing a publication that celebrated the lives of seniors and, at the same time, gave businesses a marketing vehicle to reach the senior consumer. We have spent a lot of time getting to know seniors – their challenges, achievements, interests and buying practices. And we have spent a lot of time educating businesses about this growing demographic, encouraging them to build components into their marketing campaigns that target this consumer group. Senior Living and other senior-focused businesses have known for quite some time that the Baby Boomer generation is poised to become a consumer group to be reckoned with as its members pass into their senior years. On January 1, 2011, the first Baby Boomers turned 65. As little as this event was noted by the media or in the business community, it was, nevertheless, a date that heralds significant change in the years ahead. Just as they’ve revolutionized each era they’ve lived through, Boomers will now bring their own brand of change to the world around them as they hit age 65 and beyond. Many predict that “retirement” may become almost obsolete among Boomers. In this issue, you will meet seniors who are “re-engaging” instead of “retiring” by launching new business ventures. Statistics verify that the number of business starts by seniors is rapidly growing. Without doubt, we are seeing unprecedented changes. Be prepared to see more – this new generation of seniors is just getting started! 2

SENIOR LIVING

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS 40 Classiﬁeds

6 Creativity, Soul and Self

From academia to the great outdoors, Silver Sage Nursery owner Carrie Nelson gets her hands dirty.

46 BBB Scam Alert

8 Something to be Enthusiastic About

COLUMNS

Meet Islanders who have traded a job for businesses they can feel passionate about.

4 The Family Caregiver

20 Changing Gears

by Barbara Small

One-time educator Barry Adams has jumped into the risky business of stock market speculating.

38 Senior Tech

22 Serving Customers, Serving Friends Ann and Alan Newman not only developed a viable business, they built friendships that will last a lifetime.

26 Char Lands Her Dream

Once a computer consultant, Charlene Patterson feels she’s now making a meaningful contribution to her new community of Port Alberni.

30 Starting Over

With his wife’s support, Gary Grieco walked away from corporate “success” to return to his ﬁrst love of writing.

32 Speaking Up!

Paddy Kennedy’s success comes from helping others ﬁnd their voice.

36 10 Ways to Unlock Creativity When creativity hits a wall, try these steps to get you back on track for making magic.

by David Pankhurst

39 Ask Goldie by Goldie Carlow

41 Bygone Treasures by Michael Rice

47 Outrageous & Courageous by Pat Nichol

48 Reﬂections: Then & Now by Gipp Forster

Cover Photo: Entrepreneur Carrie Nelson turned her passion for the outdoors, ﬂora and fauna into a business that ﬂourishes! See story on page 6. Photo: Enise Olding

42 Ski Spring Break for Boomers

Keeping the passion for powder alive by hitting the slopes. Senior Living (Vancouver Island) is published by Stratis Publishing. Publisher Barbara Risto Editor Bobbie Jo Reid editor@seniorlivingmag.com Copy Editor Allyson Mantle Advertising Manager Barry Risto 250-479-4705 For advertising information, call 250-479-4705 sales@seniorlivingmag.com Ad Sales Staff Ann Lester 250-390-1805 Mathieu Powell 250-589-7801 Barry Risto 250-479-4705 WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Head Ofﬁce Contact Information: Box 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1 Phone 250-479-4705 Fax 250-479-4808 Toll-free 1-877-479-4705 E-mail ofﬁce@seniorlivingmag.com Website www.seniorlivingmag.com Subscriptions: $32 (includes GST, postage and handling) for 12 issues. Canadian residents only. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Senior Living is an independent publication and its articles imply no endorsement of any products or services. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Unsolicited articles are welcome and should be e-mailed to editor@seniorlivingmag. com Senior Living Vancouver Island is distributed free throughout Vancouver Island. Stratis Publishing Ltd. publishes Senior Living Vancouver Island (12 issues per year) and Senior Living Vancouver & Lower Mainland (12 issues per year). ISSN 1710-3584 (Print) ISSN 1911-6403 (Online)

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ARTICLES ABOUT ACTIVE SENIORS & RELATED TOPICS

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�� COV MEDIchair - Victoria �� COV Sunrise Senior Living �� 4 Eldersafe Support Services �� 9 Chemainus Garden Holiday Resort �� 13 Faber’s Fabulous Homes �� Re/Max �� 15 Priority Time Errand �� & Concierge Services �� 17 A1 People C are �� 23 Changing Places �� 25 Barclay’s Fine Custom Jewellers �� 27 Enabled Financial Solutions �� 34 Beltone Nanaimo �� 38 My Care Givers �� 44 Hot Health Systems Ltd. �� 45 Merit Travel �� 45 Central Park Dental �� 46 All Haul �� 47 Macquarie Private Wealth �� Harp Sandhu �� 48 Nurse Next Door Nanaimo �� 50 SAS Comfort Shoes � �� 50 Simply Cremations � �� & Funeral Services �� 54 CIBC Wood Gundy Ryan Taves �� 55 Soul Comfort Sheepskin �� BK COV Horne Coupar � MARCH 2011

THE FAMILY CAREGIVER

Balancing Family Caregiving and Work

pproximately 70 per cent of the one million family caregivers in B.C. are balancing the demands of caregiving and working full or part-time. This can result in caregivers quitting their jobs, retiring early, cutting back on hours, turning down promotions and losing pension contributions. Employers experience higher absenteeism rates, more lateness and lower productivity. Here are some ideas that might help those juggling the demands of work and caregiving: • Talk to your employer or human resource personnel about your situation and needs in regards to your family member. • Flexibility is essential for many caregivers to permit them to respond to emergencies or during periods of intense caregiving demands. Explore the options available in your workplace, such as flextime, a compressed workweek, reduced hours, job sharing, leave of absence, gradual retirement or working from home. Even if these options have not been used by anyone before, your employer may still be open to considering them now. • Alternatively, you may prefer a set schedule so you can plan appointments and arrange home support or respite.

• There are likely other family caregivers in your workplace who are also facing challenges. Consider developing a support group at work. Meet during the lunch hour to share your challenges and successes. Or you might want to set up something online where you can share resources, tips and questions with each other. • Compassionate Care Benefits are available through Employment Insurance for employed family members caring for a gravely ill relative at risk of dying within 26 weeks. These benefits consist of six weeks total compensation per terminally ill family member plus two weeks of unpaid waiting period. Visit the Human Resources and Social Development Canada website at www.hrsdc.gc.ca • Some employee benefits, such as extended health benefits and employee and family assistance programs, may extend to dependents and can help with family caregiving responsibilities. The workplace benefits available to you as a family caregiver may not be obvious or well known even to your manager. You may need to do some research, along with your manager or human resource department about what benefits and options are available and how they apply to your situation. • Make a list of what you need help

BY BARBARA SMALL

with and when you need it. Decide what other family members can do and what outside services need to be brought in. • Familiarize yourself with community resources that are available. Contact the Family Caregivers’ Network at 250-3840408 or visit www.familycaregiversnetwork.org for resources in your area. • There is also a section on the FCNS website, under the Education tab, dedicated to “Supporting Family Caregivers in the Workplace.” This section includes valuable information and resources for SL both employees and employers. Next month: Reducing Family Caregiving Isolation Barbara Small is the Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society located in Victoria, BC. www.familycaregiversnetwork.org

The Family Caregiver column is brought to you by the generous sponsorship of ElderSafe Support Services

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MARCH 2011

Entrepreneurs

Creativity, Soul and Self

arrie Nelson says she wouldn’t have started her nursery business any earlier in life, though she may have had fewer backaches. While her working life took her into the realms of academia, including some years as principal of Vancouver Island University’s Cowichan campus, her passion for nature, flora and fauna and the wilderness accompanied her all her life. A keen camper and adventure traveller, she loves the outdoors. It’s not surprising then that Carrie and husband Rick eventually moved to 10 pristine acres on Baldy Mountain Road in the Shawnigan Lake area and set about creating a garden amongst the magnificent trees. They had nothing particular in mind when they purchased the property, but Carrie wanted to do something with it. After her career in education, the first thing Carrie did was build a 20-x 30-foot (6.1 m x 9.1 m) glass greenhouse, something she’s always wanted. “I love the propagation side of things, growing trees from seed. I really enjoy that part,” she says. It was clear that within six months, she’d have thousands of plants; at least 3,000 cuttings a year. So Rick suggested she “hang out a shingle” and sell a few plants. Silver Sage Nursery and Garden Gallery became a reality. Carrie got comments like, “I thought you’d retired.” Others thought she was taking on too much; some said, “I was dreaming or crazy to think people would come out to the boonies to buy plants,” laughs Carrie. But she’d done her homework, had a vision of what she’d do with the business and had no problem getting financing for her venture from the bank. “I must say that my husband was and is most supportive and, at the same time, I’m challenged to develop systems that will cut down on the labour. He helps a great deal on weekends and in the sum6

SENIOR LIVING

Entrepreneur Carrie Nelson. Below, Silver Sage Nursery.

mer – lots of tractor work,” says Carrie. Her 90-year-old mother-in-law and a good friend from Courtenay brought her many interesting plants to get going, and other family members have offered support during busy times. When she first started, Carrie bought most of her plants and raised a few on her own. Her current goal is to propagate at least half of them. She learned as she went along that marketing her business is crucial and knowing how to reach the customers and keep them is all about relationships and networking. “I can’t rely on salespeople or what other businesses in the trade suggest is a hot item,” she says. “I’ve learned that the environment or ambience of the nursery is important to the customers and it encourages repeat customers.” She’s also learned that 90 per cent of the people only shop the sales, so she estimates seven per cent of gross earnings for marketWWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Photos: Enise Olding

BY ENISE OLDING

ing. Because the paperwork for payroll, taxes and WCB takes a lot of time, it pays to get good help. Even though budgets and financing were a part of Carrie’s previous occupation, she had to learn the specifics required when starting a small business. For Carrie, the downsides of her entrepreneurial venture are few. “There’s heavy work on cold days, and the business ties me down on weekends during the busy season,” she says. The plusses are more numerous. “People in the industry are lovely, helpful. Other nurseries too –

they are free with information and I love going to the big wholesale nurseries – it’s like being a kid in a candy store,” she laughs. The other benefits are that Carrie’s workload is self, and seasonally, directed. There are two or three months a year that she can travel, paint, read and plan for next year. The difference between her previous occupation and this business venture are also great she says, “There’s less politics (office or otherwise) and no posturing, no dealing with layers of bureaucracy. If I want to do something, I make it a priority and it gets done.” A keen researcher, Carrie says that one of the best things the change in lifestyle brought is a renewed interest in a topic she loves, which is both stimulating and a challenge, and it’s physical. “I need to be moving,” she smiles, “or I seize up!” Her focus right now is the Experimental Garden, which includes propagation techniques, and finding out what works for cuttings given the local environment, temperature and conditions. Her curiosity in this area was spurred on by her initial practice of taking one thing and planting it in her own garden so that she could see how it grew, and how it takes to the local climate. Included in the Experimental Garden Project are plants that are drought resistant, can flourish in microclimates, and tolerate climate change. Carrie works with a biologist and includes soil analysis in her research. This area of research is something Carrie particularly enjoys, and hopes to expand on the program. To others who might be thinking of starting their own small business, Carrie suggests starting small, and exploring a potential specialization in their chosen discipline. But, most importantly, “Do what you love and don’t do it for the money or you’ll get all stressed out. See it as an opportunity to learn something completely new and specialize in an area of your expertise. It’s a wonderful opportunity to do something artistic and/or make the world, or your world, a better place,” says Carrie. She adds, “Creativity, soul and self, put it out there, grow SL personally, and be your own boss!” For more information on Carrie’s nursery, visit www.silversagenursery.com

Featured Business

�� Revitalizing Jewellery �� and Timepiece Craftsmanship ��

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�� IN A DIGITAL WORLD consumed with disposable commodities it �� is nice to occasionally be reminded of the importance and value of �� superior workmanship and genuine service. The �� team of jewellery and timepiece specialists at Barclay’s Fine Custom �� Jewellers do just that �� — they make it their goal to embody quality craftsmanship and ﬁrst class �� service in all they do.

A boutique-style jewellery store located in the heart of Oak Bay Village in Victoria, Barclay’s boasts a slew of services alongside an extensive range of new and antique jewellery and watches. Their onsite team of specialists includes custom jewellery designers, a couture goldsmith, a certified European clock and watch maker and engraving specialists. “At Barclay’s we are essentially a onestop shop when it comes to jewellery, clock and watch design, repair and maintenance,” says Geoffrey Beattie, Barclay’s owner. “Having an extensive team of experts working onsite allows us to offer a broad range of services and flexibility. Whether you are looking for a new piece of jewellery, want to convert or repair an old piece, need your watch fixed, or an antique timepiece restored, our friendly, knowledgeable staff are here to assist you.” And knowledgeable they are. Marek Glodek, Barclay’s watch and clock maker, is the only third generation certified European specialist on Vancouver Island. Trained in Poland, Germany and Switzerland in the artistry of timepiece construction and repair Marek is capable of making custom clock parts for antique models. “When it comes to antique clocks and watches people should be aware that whomever you are leaving it with needs to have the proper education, skills and certification to handle these sensitive pieces,” says Marek. “There are proper procedures, lubricants and care required for each individual piece; especially when it comes to the Rolex watches we service.” William Matthews, the newest edition to Barclay’s, joins the team with over 30 years

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experience as a couture goldsmith. “A skilled goldsmith will have a ﬁrm knowledge of how to work with different metals — how to manipulate them, how they polish. Strong technical expertise is necessary �� before you can �� explore the aesthetics of jewellery design,” says William. “Custom �� design is also about getting an idea of who the person is that you are designing for and matching a design to their personality, style and taste.”

�� “It is always my goal when we design a piece of jewellery for any customer that it becomes their favorite piece,” says Geoffrey. “I don’t just want jewellery to be something people have for special occasions. I want it to be wearable, to look great no matter what it is, and to become a part of the life of the person it was made for. I want our jewellery to become part their family heritage.”

Barclay’s Fine Custom Jewellers #106 - 2187 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria 250-592-1100 www.barclaysjewellers.com WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

MARCH 2011

Entrepreneurs

Something to be Enthusiastic About

BY VERNICE SHOSTAL

artnering with his wife, Jacqueline, Courtenay entrepreneur and videographer Malcolm Holt started his business, Cameo Video Ltd., in July 2010. The product, a personal DVD, captures a family’s biography, history, places lived, adventures, disasters, achievements and travel – a legacy of family history to pass on to loved ones. Malcolm’s former experience as a consultant in human services design and a registered architect gave him a solid background in communication. Combining his love of people with his love of photography, the new venture was a perfect merger. Adept at drawing out people’s stories, Malcolm shows his clients the uniqueness of their personal histories. He likes to watch them “take off with their own reminiscences and forget there is a video camera capturing them.” Knowing the ropes for incorporating a new business and developing a business plan is essential, says Malcolm who incorporated his company and then started promoting it – “a classic case of ‘ready, fire, aim.’” Malcolm’s biggest challenge was the technological learning curve. An accomplished still photographer, the advanced software for editing and DVD production was a new learning experience for Malcolm, who keeps his mind active by following up each video with research to confirm dates and facts. The main goal of Cameo Video Ltd. “is to earn a good reputation,” says Malcolm. The Holts look forward to turning this part-time venture into a full-time production in the future.

fter enjoying a wealth of gourmet experiences around the world, Chef Marcie Gauntlett opened her French Beach Cooking School in August 2009, partially fulfilling a dream of owning her own restaurant. 8

SENIOR LIVING

Marcie’s culinary career began with writing recipe columns in Bermuda and later continuing in Massachusetts. She moved to Saudi Arabia in 1982, where she worked for a hospital company and wrote a recipe column in The Arab News. During a three-year stay in Moscow, this globetrotter learned to make Russian cheeses. After Moscow, a nine-year stint in the U.S. Foreign Service gave her no time to cook, although she managed to carry her sourdough starter from country to country. After retirement from the Foreign Service in 1999, Marcie opened a B&B in Arkansas and, for two years, prepared gourmet breakfasts for her guests.

Photo: Marcie Gauntlett

recent survey of seniors shows 70 per cent of Canadians plan to work after retirement. Of that, 72 per cent said they wanted to remain mentally active, while 57 per cent wanted to stay socially active. The result is contemporary seniors turning their golden years into productive enterprising years.

Chef Marcie Gauntlett’s Russian “Kulebiaka.”

Also a photographer, showing and selling her art at Coast Collective in Colwood, Marcie shares her cooking knowledge without charging a small fortune. A four-hour-long class usually produces one particular item like sushi, tourtiere, Filipino bread, soft cheeses or cassava pie. Marcie is happy with her school and has no plans to expand. Her new business has taught her “all you have to do is START! Thinking and worrying does not do it; you simply have to jump in and swim!”

ourtenay’s La Pause B&B owners David Innes and Lucille Doucet, who want their clients to “pause, relax and revitalize in luxurious serenity,” opened their guesthouse

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You're trusted. You're experienced. Make sure your customers know it. ®

Photo: Stephanie Innes

Become an Accredited Business Call 250.386.6348 or visit vi.bbb.org for more information. La Pause’s David Innes cleaning the pool.

in 2007. To supplement their income, Dave is a photo artist and the couple distributes health and wellness products. Their first challenge when starting their business – leaving Regina, where Dave was a city planner, budget director and deputy minister and Lucille worked in administrative positions with the federal government, to find the right location for the B&B Lucille had her heart set on. Challenge No. 2, finding the perfect property in the Comox Valley, but then meeting the applicable regulatory con-

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1-514-485-1805 ASK FOR BARRY La Pause’s Lucille Doucet cooks up a storm for B&B guests.

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MARCH 2011

trols, locating trades and contractors to carry out necessary renovations, finding sources for the décor, furniture and highquality cooking ingredients. That done, they ran into still another test – running a business as a couple. It “took time to work through and helped our relationship grow,” says Dave. “Clearly, it was meant to be. We get to live in a great community with wonderful local services, a great art scene, and outstanding natural features.” David and Lucille are thrilled that La Pause has given them the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and share Lucille’s joy of cooking. La Pause Bed and Breakfast employs part-time cleaning and lawn care help. They look forward to a busy 2011 and expect a minimum 10 per cent growth in their seasonal business.

FEBRUARY 2011 VANCOUVER ISLAND

Housing Guide for Seniors

our guide Ruth Volquardsen launched See Around Salt Spring Tours in 2009. The tours are either a historical seaside village walking excursion, or a custom driving tour based on the interests of the visitors. “I’ve always thought that being a tour guide would be fun,” she says, because “it gives others a sense of being looked after.” Ruth became interested in tourism in the late 1970s. While her husband was at the Baha’i Centre in Haifa, a tour bus picked her up every morning and took her on a daylong tour. The excursion “opened up that small country so rich in history,” says the world traveller who later saw a niche for the same kinds of tours on Salt Spring Island. A former teacher, Ruth had no previous experience in the touring industry. Her first challenge in opening a business was to look after important preliminaries such as li-

Up-to-date listings of senior housing facilities throughout Vancouver Island, including Independent/Supportive Living, Assisted Living and Complex Care. This guide is an indispensable resource to:

• seniors looking for alternative housing • seniors moving to Vancouver Island from other parts of BC or out of province • children of seniors who are assisting their parent to select a housing option • professionals who work with seniors or their families • businesses that provide services to seniors

Photo: Vernice Shostal

Listings include addresses and contact information, housing costs, number of units in the housing complex, hospitality services, optional home care services, amenities and security features.

TO ORDER a copy... Please mail a cheque for $5.25 ($5 plus GST), along with your name, phone number and address, to Senior Living, 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1. We will mail you a copy of this resourceful housing guide upon receipt of payment. 10

SENIOR LIVING

Sepora Mayim Jacobson of the Milman Sisters Institute works with client Ann Szarkowicz.

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cences. Another was focusing on the history of Salt Spring, which she did to a greater extent than she originally intended, gleaning stories from oldtimers who have a wealth of stories to share. Besides contributing to the Island’s economy and the additional personal revenue, the business “enriches my life,” says Ruth. The learning and development allows her to express her creativity, giving her knowledge and skills she hadn’t realized would be so rewarding. She looks forward to seeing the business “really get off the ground” during the summer of 2011.

isters Sepora Mayim Jacobson and Isa Milman of Milman Sisters Institute: Creative Therapies for Healthy Living, say “All human

LOVE life. LIVE here.

This spring is a great time to start enjoying all the things and activities that bring you pleasure – a time to relax, yet stay active, a time to meet new people with common interests and life stories, a time for you! We invite you to explore the lifestyle opportunities and everyday choices at an Amica community near you.

Isa Milman of Milman Sisters Institute works with client Bob Ladbury tying ﬁsh ﬂies.

Port Coquitlam ~ Amica at Mayfair ~ 604.552.5552 Kerrisdale ~ Amica at Arbutus Manor ~ 604.736.8936 West Vancouver ~ Amica at West Vancouver ~ 604.921.9181 Burnaby ~ Amica at Rideau Manor ~ 604.291.1792 Victoria ~ Amica at Douglas House ~ 250.383.6258 Victoria ~ Amica at Somerset House ~ 250.380.9121 Sidney ~ Amica at Beechwood Village ~ 250.655.0849

11-0082

Photo: Vernice Shostal

Call an Amica community today to book your personal tour.

beings need to be engaged and connected. Without this, people lose their desire for life.” Through art, music, poetry, writing, movement, yoga, dance, exercise, crafts, horticulture, cooking, outdoor activities, reading, film, bridge, storytelling, song, theatre, the Milmans help people who, through aging, disability or isolation, have diminished engagement in life. By assessing a client’s physical, emotional and functional competence and identifying their interests, MSI helps patrons reconnect with

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MARCH 2011

Entrepreneurs management and Sharry’s involvement their potential. in fitness was helpful in opening their A registered clinical counsellor with new business, however “nothing we a private practice in dance movement have done before was so worthwhile,” therapy and an instructor at Camosun says Sharry. Hot Health Systems sells College, Sepora Mayim instructs Afriproduct and wellness. can-inspired Tribal Dance accompanied “We have learned how really little it by djembe drumming, which she studtakes to improve the lives of others.” ied in West Africa in 1992. Isa, an award-winning author, visual One of the benefits of their busiartist and former co-ordinator at the ness is the ability to travel and meet Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Cen“the most interesting people in the tre also teaches a practicum course at most interesting places.” UVic’s Faculty of Fine Arts. MSI provides services that weren’t previously available in Victoria. Like WARRANTY other new entrepreneurs, the Milmans MEDICAL RESEARCH �� an �� had to consult with a bookkeeper, �� accountant, other business owners and University of Technology, Sydney, Australia - Postural steadiness improved Hot Health Systems Ltd. warranty the significantly after 8 weeks of training and was most significant in those with the most a graphic designer who opened their diminished postural control. Whole Body Vibration Trainer for 3 (three) �� Jack�� and Sharry Yaeck eyes to the legal and fiscal �� implicayears for parts, service and labour within �� tions they were required to follow. MSI �� a radius of 250 km from the home office of School of Rehabilitation, Medical Sciences, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran. - Whole opened their part-time business on JanBudd Stewart of of exercise Lethbridge, AB. body vibration trainingufacturer improved proprioception and balanceequipment in athletes with with no reconstructed ACL. uary 1, 2011 with plans to grow into a medical downside, they found out about Pat Bay Interna�� wearing his beyond that distance Partstional are warranted full-time enterprise. �� Vibration Exercise Therapy. reflective safety Sports Sciences Resident, Graduate Education * Research, Canadian Memorial (three) years with manuals and/or The happy part is “having Chiropractic the good Thehavebenefits arein amuscle perfect fit for thefor 3products. College - Many studies reported an increase performance after whole-body vibration, but none have evaluated the possibility of vibration DVD videos available for self-service of fortune to be sisters with complemenapplication as therapy for functional restoration injury. The results case elderly and after people withof thishealth chalstudy imply that vibration therapy has the potential to aid in the management of parts replacement. acutetiming soft tissue injury and the sequel ofwhich disuse and immobilization. tary professions and the perfect lenges, keep them from being �� in our lives that enables us to �� work to-�� actively engaged in standard forms of �� -----------------------gether,” says Sepora. Department of Exercise exercise. Physiology, Katholieke Universiteit, Belgium - operated Knee extensor A friend who several strength increased significantly after 24 weeks of training. It has the potential to induce strength gain to the same extent ascommunities resistance training at moderate seniors’ wasintensity. looking for We are so confident that you will love �� ot Health Systems Ltd., owned your Vibration Trainer that we are pleased good exercise equipment and agreed to �� to offer a 15-day money-back guarantee Faculty of and Health andtest Welfare, St.product Catherine University, Matsuyama, Japan and operated by Sharry the for them. The enthusias- Background: Increased arterial stiffness (hardening of the arteries) is a wellPROVIDED THAT all packaging materials established cardiovascular risk factor. WBV mechanically stimulates abdominal Jack Yaeck, opened in 2007. Retirtic response from her residents resulted and leg arteries and may decrease arterial stiffness. WBV is feasible in vulnerable and the Trainer returned immobilized humans. These results suggest that WBV acutely decreases arterial ing early from their previous and jobs, the in a purchase of the equipment for allare retained udd Stewart of PatisBay Internastiffness. in ALL of its original packaging and in its couple searched for a form of�� exercise her facilities. tional spent considerable time original condition by means of the original �� that would be safe and effectiveKatholieke for their and effort onwill research beforeashe offiHot Health Systems operates “more Universiteit, Belgium - After 24 weeks vibration training significantly shipper. Money be returned soon increased bone mass density of the hip and might be useful in the prevention of elderly mothers. After months of recially opened his full-time business than full time most of the time,” says osteoporosis. No vibration side effects were observed. This may be an effective way as the Trainer is received by Hot Health in to modify well-recognized risk factors for falls and fractures in older women. searching and looking for the best man- Sharry. Jack’s knowledge in sales and October 2010. From Systems Ltd.senior executive ��

» Photo: Vernice Shostal

�� Sports Medicine Laboratory, University of Rome, Italy - Whole-body vibration is a suitable training method to improve knee extension maximal strength, countermovement jump, and ﬂexibility in a young female athlete. Flexibility is important not only for performance but also for the prevention of muscle-tendon injury.

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A Lifetime of Excellence in Hearing Care CELEBRATING 37 YEARS OF AWARD WINNING quality hearing care and customer service on Vancouver Island, Beltone Hearing Care Centres prides itself on client satisfaction. As past recipients of the BBB’s Torch Award for business ethics and integrity (awarded in 2005, 2008 and 2009) and of the prestigious President’s Cup (awarded in 1999), Beltone Vancouver Island’s commitment to excellence has been recognized by both its customers and industry professionals. “The most satisfying award for me personally was the President’s Cup,” says Ron Germain, owner/operator of Beltone Vancouver Island, who began his career with Beltone in Regina in 1956.

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provides hearing testing and evaluations; hearing aids and assistive listening devices, repairs, remakes and demonstrations; hearing instrument fittings, servicing and reprogramming; and customized hearing protection. While Beltone centres are the exclusive dispensers of Beltone Hearing Instruments they also fit, service and repair hearing technologies from manufacturers such as Oticon, Phonak, Siemens, Unitron and others. Clients receive free lifetime follow-up care, a 90-day return privilege and three years of warranty, loss/damage insurance and battery supplies. “The real difference between Beltone and other hearing aid dispensers is the longevity of the company; and the quality and long life of our aftercare,” says Kathy Germain, Ron’s daughter and General Manager. “We pride ourselves on spending as much time as is required working with our clients, ensuring they receive comprehensive testing, and providing them with product information suitable to their lifestyle. We do not put restrictions on how much time we spend with each client. In fact, we ensure that once a person is fitted with their hearing device, that before they leave our Centre we have booked their next follow up visit. And we invite them to come sooner if they have any concerns, all for no charge.” At Beltone each client is treated with respect and receives competent, professional services – from the initial no-obligation hearing test, to the fitting of their hearing instruments, to the years of follow-up care. “At Beltone Vancouver Island, we spend very careful attention on who is chosen to be on the Beltone team,” says Kathy. “Observing my father’s high standards over the years, we make certain that we only have bright caring professional staff that are diligent in their professionalism and to the successful outcome of our clients.”

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to small business operator, Budd found getting into the retail market required a change of mindset and understanding consumer retail and e-commerce marketplaces, including the required infrastructure that was new to him. Pat Bay International, the reflective and glow-in-the-dark business, offers products that were not formerly available in Canada. “I wanted to make a difference with my product,” says Budd, who sells safety. He did not want to “sell CDs or luxury items, but something that would help.” Pat Bay International offers products for households, children, adults and even pets to help people stay safe in the dark. Familiar with effective safety practices, Budd volunteers for activities focusing on the senior community. One of his challenges is that because glow-in-the-dark items are safety items and not luxury items, they are more difficult to market. Budd enjoys watching the progress his company is making, even if it isn’t going as fast as he’d like. The positive side of his enterprise is that his products prevent accidents and injuries to people and pets. Budd is familiar with the value of effective safety practices and with the strategies he has in place, he expects a dramatic increase in the sale of high visibility wear in 2011.

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SENIOR LIVING

Husband-and-wife team Joyce Sandilands and J. Robert Whittle displaying their books at a tradeshow.

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MPW-239 Harp Sandhu Senior Living ad:March 2011

oyce Sandilands and husband J. Robert Whittle started their writing and publishing business in 1994, while Robert, a former mining engineer and a first-response-to-disaster team leader spent nearly four years recovering from knee surgery and treatment for infection resulting from the initial surgery. During that time, Robert’s new hobby, writing, impressed Joyce. After completing his third book with no response from publishers, the couple decided to self-publish. Initial sales of their first book at the James Bay Farmers’ Market made enough profit to cover printing costs of the original book as well as its sequel and helped them to officially launch Whitlands Publishing in 1999. Besides selling books through Bolen’s and Munro’s bookstores, Whitlands has branched out into larger markets such as indoor craft shows and Christmas craft fairs. They travel Vancouver Island and onto the Mainland in the Okanagan as well. For Joyce, who learned from Robert she had to become more outgoing in order to succeed in the business, their sole revenue source, choosing book titles, cover images and learning how to market their books was the biggest challenge. In addition to hiring a proofreader, a one-day-a-week office assistant helps Joyce with accounting and the database. Knowing their 12 books and audio products give pleasure to thousands of multigenerational readers, gives Robert and Joyce a sense of fulfillment. They hope the successful year they had in 2010 will be exceeded in 2011. Retirees today acknowledge that what really makes them happy is something to be enthusiastic about. Whether full time or part time, more and more seniors are tapping into their lifetime experiences and opting to turn their retirement years into active and productive entrepreneurial years; a quantum leap from retireSL ment a generation ago.

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Over many years, I’ve found that the key to forging a successful client/advisor relationship is finding the right fit. I interview prospective clients as much as they interview me, to ensure we are like-minded and agree on important principles. With an understanding of the needs and lives of affluent investors, I offer a personalized, big-picture approach to wealth management. Let’s get together to determine if we fit comfortably together.

Harp Sandhu, BA, Econ., CSA, Investment Advisor T: 250 412 3412 | E: harp.sandhu@macquarie.com W: www.macquarieprivatewealth.ca/sandhu Macquarie Private Wealth No entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies is registered as a bank or an authorized foreign bank in Canada under the Bank Act, S.C.1991, c.46 and no entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies is regulated in Canada as a financial institution, bank holding company or an insurance holding company. Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (MBL) is a company incorporated in Australia and authorized under the Banking Act 1959 (Australia) to conduct banking business in Australia. MBL is not authorized to conduct business in Canada. No entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies other than MBL is an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Australia), and their obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of MBL. MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of any other Macquarie Group company. Macquarie Private Wealth Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and IIROC.

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March 2011

March is Embrace Aging Month! The Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation invites you to discover the many resources, activities and educational opportunities available to help embrace the journey of aging.

In Celebration of Embrace Aging Month: Senior Living Magazine presents: Senior Expo: March 15 - Pearkes Recreation Centre Yakimovich Centre Workshops & Other Community Offerings Be Well; Be Secure; Be Connected; Be Enriched Free workshops and presentations for seniors and their families. March - Various Times

For details, contact the Eldercare Foundation.

1454 Hillside Ave.,Victoria, BC V8T 2B7 250-370-5664 ��www.gvef.org 18

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Don’t Be Shy, Embrace Aging! March is Embrace Aging month, which means the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation will once again sponsor a myriad of workshops and information sessions to help seniors achieve the four pillars of Embrace Aging ~ Be Well; Be Secure; Be Connected; and Be Enriched. This annual celebration showcases the many resources available to seniors and their families and applauds those who continue to enjoy learning, playing and being involved in the community well past retirement age. Such involvement, according to Lori McLeod, Executive Director of the Eldercare Foundation, is an inspiration to seniors in general and a blueprint for people of all ages.

by the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation, identified areas of concern to seniors. As a result, several projects have been started, including “Social Skills for Shy Seniors”. A guide, created to help seniors develop new friends, reminds them of simple social skills and presents the following suggestions for action:

Look in the mirror. Are you clean, tidy and looking happy? Remember to smile.

Make eye contact when you greet people. They will

One group that can benefit greatly know that you feel they are from the events of Embrace Aging important and worth your time. 2011 is the large number of seniors Listen more than you talk. who choose not to participate If you are nervous, you fully in community life because might tend to run on in your of their shyness. As children and conversation. If people young adults …large number of start to look bored, it’s we learned seniors who choose not time to be quiet and give how to make to participate fully in someone else a turn. friends. When community life because Remember, a conversation death and of their shyness. is not a monologue. disabilities have taken many of these friends away, we often need to relearn some social skills. This can be especially challenging for shy people. In the summer of 2010, a group of seniors attending the Senior Dialogues sessions, sponsored

Ask questions: “What do you think?” “How did you get involved?”or “Where are you from?”

Enroll in a class. Learning something new will keep your brain young and make you more interesting to be with. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

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Volunteer for something somewhere... neighbourhood, residence, church, etc. Be considerate, respectful and sincere to everyone.

Join a club. You will find people with similar interest.

Watch for others who might be feeling just as you are. Smile and say hello.

Attend discussion groups. Even if you don’t say a word, people will come to recognize you and be more likely to talk to you.

PRACTICE: You do not have to do all these steps at once. Start with the easiest. Be gentle with yourself and be proud of the fact that you are trying. Embrace Aging month can be the perfect time for shy seniors to put these tips into practice. Ms. McLeod suggests, “Choose a session or workshop that interests you and you will automatically be in a room with people who are interested in the same thing. That alone will make conversation easier. Once you have shared time, information and laughter, friendship is a definite possibility.” MARCH 2011

Entrepreneurs

Changing Gears BY JAMES ELLSWORTH

SENIOR LIVING

Photo: James Ellsworth

ntrepreneurship implies a struggle: taking an idea, starting a venture often involving employees, producing or selling, and making it become successful. But the term can cast a larger net too; it can include the stock market speculator who risks personal capital to generate income. Barry Adams is one such variation on the theme. Once a full-time educator in the Vancouver public system until the age of 52, Barry loved teaching and coaching. But he also played in the stock market starting in the late ’60s and, for over 12 years, his dabbling earned no money. In fact, he says, “I lost good teacher salary dollars.” So, he decided to either quit the market or do it properly – and Barry is no quitter! Instead, Barry applied himself to his avocation and read every book he could on the stock market and penny stocks. In 1987, he passed his Canadian Securities exam and slowly grew his portfolio. He found, however, that mixing his vocation of teaching with his avocation was proving to be too much. He could only check the markets very early in the morning before work or at the end of the day when he had coaching obligations. When an opportunity to take a year’s leave of absence presented itself in 1995, Barry took it. He extended his leave twice and, from ages 52 to 55, Barry went on a self-imposed apprenticeship. Though he had no mentor, he read voraciously on trading and focused on market newsletter writers, carefully researching the commodities and junior mining stocks before speculating. He proved to himself that, although it was a high-risk, highreward field, he was prepared to navigate it. So, at age 55, Barry retired from his position in education and has spent the last 13 years as a successful speculator. He never viewed it as a hobby but as an alternative to his teaching career. There was never a push from education, only the pulls of being a market investor. Barry says he has had more fun with the market, especially with the successes. He enjoys the fact that it is not a 9-to-5 job, so he has more flexibility to pursue other interests, like travelling and training and competing as a serious Masters athlete. Investment in the stock market, especially commodities, requires knowledge and nerves. “There is adversity in an ever-changing market; you always have to have your anten-

Barry Adams getting ready for a run after checking the markets nae out,” Barry muses. Good times mean profit, but crashes can “crush all those gains.” And there have been a few of those cycles for Barry to manoeuvre through. In 1987, the American Savings and Loans corporations collapsed causing a 25 per cent decline in stock values. Called Black Monday, October 19, it slowed economic growth in Canada until approximately 1995. In 1997, the so-called Asian Collapse occurred. Growing debts, especially in Thailand, South Korea and Indonesia caused enormous instabilities and the International Monetary Fund had to step in with $40 billion in aid to currencies.

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Planned Giving Featured Business Nick Leeson and the downfall of the Barings Bank in 1995 were indicative of this instability and the focus of the 1999 film, Rogue Trader. In 2000-01, the “dot.com” bubble burst. There was a “growth before profits” investment in IT businesses such as Nortel, but extended losses, Y2K investment, and the 9/11 terrorist attack caused a severe downturn as high-tech companies spent their venture capital. In 2008, the world suffered a global meltdown fuelled by the sub-prime mortgage rate housing loans that brought down Lehman Brothers. Barry doesn’t fear these ups and downs, but he does follow some rules. First, Barry believes in thorough research before speculating. He extensively researches new mining finds like potash and gold, gets in early, and rides that stock for capital gain. As a result, his portfolio has improved and he says it has gained “10 times more net equity now than when I left teaching. That is a measure of my success.” Although he is principled, Barry feels it is best to approach investment with a certain air of situational ethics. For instance, he will not invest in dangerous or risky areas of the world, such as Iraq or the Congo, nor will he invest in blood diamonds. But he admits that speculating in commodities is essentially disrupting the Earth. He believes in harvesting resources as ethically as possible. “Right now western Canadian coal is huge with sales to China, but I remember watching a big yellow fog rolling down the Pearl River to Hong Kong when I was having a coffee there and am loathe to invest. At the same time Ontario Hydro uses scrubbers and contributes to Canadian pensions.” The Internet is the biggest improvement to Barry’s enterprise in the last 15 years. All the research and platforms available to a broker are now online and allow maximum flexibility. Now, he can stay in touch with the markets from anywhere in the world and he has, from Australia, Borneo, Singapore, and China to mention a few. As an entrepreneur, Barry has more time not only for travel, but also for his passion of athletics. He just missed out on representing Canada in track and field in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, a team that included Bruce Kidd, Bill Crothers and Harry Jerome. He placed 2nd in the qualifying but only one could go. Also, he was part of the 1964 University of Oregon sports hall of fame team, competing in steeplechase. Barry still loves competing. In fact, he still owns the record for the Canadian Men 40 – 1,500 metre set in 1983. He also won the Canadian Men 65 pentathlon and holds the record for Canadian Men 60 outdoor pentathlon. The fiveevent sport requires fortitude, discipline, and persistence; skills carried over to the market place. Barry’s entrepreneurial spirit in the retirement years SL doesn’t mean stopping, just changing gears.

Hayworth measures success by the smiles HAYWORTH COMMUNITIES is a relative newcomer to the senior living industry and is clearly bringing fresh ideas to consumers ready for a change! The Hayworth Living philosophy was created by hundreds of seniors who were very clear about what was missing in retirement living and, at the end of the day, contributed to the Hayworth mission “to change how society views and values older people by creating extraordinary “community” where people live longer, happier and healthier lives”. Their ﬁrst building, the Alexander

“Creating communities where people live longer, happier and healthier lives.”

Mickey Fleming CEO and Founder

Mackie Retirement Community, owned by the Western Community Seniors Housing Society, Chairman Harry Groom, is a perfect example of this philosophy in action. The Alexander Mackie found it necessary to add more suites in 2009 to accommodate the demand. Plans are currently underway to add long term care to the property to truly meet the desires of “aging-in-place” residents. Micky Fleming, CEO and Founder of Hayworth, is adamant about the food “as we age our bodies need more complete nutrition that can only be found in whole foods”. All Hayworth meals, except the fresh daily bread donated by Cobbs Bakery, are prepared by Red Seal Chefs in the Hayworth kitchen - just like Mom used to make! While it is apparent that Hayworth residents are happy, the staunchly residential environment is only a small part of the whole package. Residents are provided the opportunity to participate in the greater community through volunteer positions with daycare, arts groups, community events and service organizations that involve people of all ages. Hayworth Communities won the Best in Show ﬂoat in the Summer Festival parade, another resident participation event. Hayworth Communities is committed to leadership in building more than retirement residences. Every residence is tailored to the people of the community it serves. Laughter and smiles are the measure of Hayworth’s success. The company has plans for expansion into 5 new AAA+ locations on Vancouver Island (more information is available on their website www.hayworth.ca). If you are looking for something different in retirement living, think about Hayworth Living!

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Hayworth Communities 103 - 3179 Jacklin Road, Victoria (250) 478-4431 www.hayworth.ca MARCH 2011 21

Entrepreneurs

Serving Customers, Serving Friends BY VERNICE SHOSTAL

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etirement isn’t an option for British-born couple Ann and Alan Newman, who produce postcards, greeting cards, souvenir fridge magnets and bookmarks that carry a variety of messages and scenery from Vancouver, Salt Spring and Quadra Islands. “We try to get the feel of the Island in our cards,” says Ann, who writes messages in the sand. Choosing a sunny day, they take their “bags and ribbons and things,” arrange them on the beach and write a greeting in the sand. A photo of the greeting, “Thank you,” “Happy Birthday, Mom,” or any one of their 60 messages with the embellishment and scenery is turned into a card that will eventually go on one of their racks to be placed in a shop on the island. The business venture, Ann’s Island Photography, began in 1986 when Ann holidayed on Salt Spring with her daughter. “What a beautiful island,” she said and decided to send some postcards home to her family in England. She went to Ganges to look for postcards, but found none. The big postcard companies were not interested in a small area like Salt Spring Island. Seeing a need, Ann, who had always enjoyed photography, asked the shopkeeper if they would like pictures from Salt Spring Island on a card with accompanying envelopes. “Well, send me a few and I’ll see what they’re like,” the shopkeeper said. Within two weeks, Ann had a client who soon doubled the original order and

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Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare Services

Making Lives Better One Visit at a Time! AT NURSE NEXT DOOR HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICES, making lives better isn’t just what they do, it is who they are and the reason they do what they do. As BC’s leading home healthcare service provider, Nurse Next Door, promises to do whatever it takes to bring you peace of mind. Their philosophy of care translates into four guarantees that really make them stand out and deliver on their promise! 1) They ﬁnd the perfect caregiver for you one that matches your speciﬁc needs. And they will continue to make sure the match is working well. 2) Fast and easy access to the help you need. They make it as easy as possible for you to get care for your loved one. Their free in-home consultation is without obligation. 3) Always open – 24/7 access, 24/7 service – day or night, weekends and holidays, they are just a phone call away. 4) They manage everything, every step of the way, while making sure the clients are always kept in the loop. A full-service home healthcare company that provides a complete range of services, including complex nursing care, Nurse Next Door brings a standard of excellence to their care that sets them apart. In the Greater Victoria Area, the Nurse Next Door team has been providing service for a number of years. They are now joined by Meredith Brown who is focused on bringing premier home healthcare to the communities of Saanich and the Peninsula, including Brentwood Bay, Saanichton, North Saanich and Sidney. Providing care in the comfort of the client’s own home, Nurse Next Door’s personalized program allows clients to receive as much or as little healthcare as they want. “We give them the attention and assistance they need while leaving them with the independence and dignity they deserve,” says Meredith.

Meredith’s appreciation for the urgent need for excellence in home healthcare stems from her own experience as the primary caregiver for her aging parents. Her years of experience as a nurse, both in the hospital and in homecare, equip her with extensive insight into the unique challenges of the elderly.

�� Caring for a loved one can be difﬁcult. Busy families require affordable and caring solutions that keep their loved one at home but that allows them to continue with their other responsibilities in life. The Nurse Next Door care providers can relieve some of that pressure, offering a wide range of services including companionship, personal care, home management, end-of-life care, dementia care, medical care, live-in or 24-hour care, and more. “We provide care around our clients’ needs, their budget and their time,” says Meredith. “The greatest reward is knowing we have provided a service that best meets the client’s needs, making it possible for our client or their loved one to remain independent and cared for in their home for as long as possible. We are making lives better one visit at a time, the Nurse Next Door way.”

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later tripled it. The Island shopkeepers were overjoyed that someone took an interest in them. The pictures were so popular that the shopkeeper asked Ann if it would be possible to put the pictures on postcards. Trying to find a printing company that would produce her cards, Ann learned she would have to order a minimum of 5,000 postcards of each of the eight scenes, 40,000 cards – too expensive a venture. Looking at another possibility, she took her pictures to an existing postcard company and tried to convince them

for Vancouver Island. Ann asked a Chemainus shopkeeper if they would like fridge magnets of the murals. The shopkeeper was interested. He was also interested in postcards. Ann did a few set ups that he liked and she had only to “sign on the dotted line and pay a royalty” to The Festival of Murals Society. Things were going so well that the Newmans and their camera went on a Vancouver Island holiday. Soon they branched out into souvenirs depicting the beautiful Vancouver Island scenery. Ann and Alan display all their products: cards, postcards, fridge magnets,

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Embrace the Journey - A Care Giver’s Story by Valerie Green The very personal story of her own journey as a care giver to her elderly parents. This is a story which will touch many hearts and be relevant for numerous adult children who, in midlife, are faced with a similar challenge and must make agonizing decisions and choices. It painfully addresses the problems encountered of ‘aging in place’ and the desire for loving couples to stay together in their home until the end of their lives. 96 pages. Softcover. 5.5” x 8.5” Published by Senior Living. Price $14.95 To order, please send cheque for $20.12 ($14.95 plus $3.95 S&H & taxes) payable to Senior Living. MAIL TO: Senior Living 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1 Please include your clearly written shipping address and phone number. Allow two weeks for shipping. 24

SENIOR LIVING

Alan and Ann organize their inventory. that they needed these types of cards. “Salt Spring?” the owner said. “That’s too small for us.” “By this time, it was in my blood,” says Ann, who continued her search until she found someone to print 1,000 copies each of six scenes. The printing bill was huge, and Alan was skeptical. As soon as she received the new cards, Ann went to Salt Spring and sold 3,800 in one afternoon. Happily, she paid her bill and had some money left over. “We have sold thousands of postcards there over the years,” says Ann. In the meantime, the Newmans looked at the possibility of doing cards WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Photo: Vernice Shostal

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acrylic magnets and panorama magnets, which can be used as fridge magnets or bookmarks, on racks they provide to the shopkeepers. Some of their unique postcards have corresponding recipes: Riverbank Casserole opposite a photo of Qualicum River Falls, Nanaimo Bars opposite the Bastion at Nanaimo, Goat Cheese Salad opposite a picture of two goats on a roof at Coombs, Grove Salad with a photo of Cathedral Grove. During the fledgling years of their business while Al was still working at his full-time job, the Newmans squeezed their trips up island into the weekends. “It was hectic living in a motel on weekends,” says Ann.

Since Alan retired, the couple purchased a trailer and camp at their favourite campgrounds while they serve their clients. Alan does the computer work while Ann contacts their customers. “We are incredibly blessed to have the type of business that allows us to be together, visit lots of people and camp in comfort all over Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands,” says Alan.

Featured Business

Good Samaritan Wexford Creek promises a pleasant surprise

Photo: Ann Newman

AFTER OPENING ITS DOORS in 2008, Wexford Creek has proven itself an excellent home for both independent seniors who’ve decided to downsize their lifestyles, and those who require more personal care and attention.

Alan putting together a card rack.

After a day of looking after their customers, Ann and Alan return to their campsite “for a barbecue supper with a glass of wine – not too much though,” says Alan. “I have work to do after supper!” In the evening, he records the details of their daytime sales. Ann and Alan immigrated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1966. Alan worked with the city police and Ann was a midwife at St. Paul’s hospital. Ten years after their arrival in Canada, they left their children with friends to holiday in Victoria and fell in love with Vancouver Island. Never afraid of a new adventure, they moved their family to Victoria the same year and Alan was hired with Corrections. Ann got a part-time job at St. Joseph’s hospital and sold Tupperware, eventually becoming a Tupperware manager. As the new job enabled her to spend more time at home with her three children, she dropped out of nursing. Later, Ann left Tupperware and joined “Creative Circle,” another direct sales company. As regional manager, she travelled in B.C. and Alberta training new employees and doing motivational workshops. Alan also changed careers. For nine years, he owned and operated a restaurant in Brentwood Bay. In his final career move, Alan joined the Commissionaires in charge of coast guard security, where he remained for the next 20 years. These senior entrepreneurs won’t retire any time soon. “Our customers are all our friends as we have known them for a long time,” says Ann. “We do not want to retire from this. We are SL enjoying ourselves too much.”

Owned and operated by Good Samaritan Canada, it’s the top spot in Nanaimo for seniors looking to become part of a safe and comfortable community. Recognizing that all its residents have different needs, the facility offers ﬂexible monthly accommodation packages and a menu of services for each Private Independent or Assisted Living suite. Every 550 sq. ft., one-bedroom suite includes a kitchen and dinette area with a fullsize fridge and stove, a large pantry/storage space, living area, bedroom and two-entrance bathroom. Specialized assistance is available around the clock for anyone who needs it. For residents who prefer not to cook for �� themselves, the facility enjoys an elegant dining area featuring a varied menu prepared by Red Seal chefs. For those who prefer a little more privacy, a separate dining room is available for special occasions. Common spaces abound. Wexford Creek boasts cozy lounge areas with ﬁreplaces and libraries, laundry facilities, a hair salon, a chapel, a fully equipped multipurpose entertainment room and easy access to balconies, courtyards and outside. The grounds are beautiful— crisscrossed with handicapped accessible walking paths, forested and park-like, expertly landscaped. Shopping and transit, and everything you need, is nearby. Call (250) 713-1696 to arrange a visit, and prepare to be pleasantly surprised. ADVERTISEMENT

Wexford Creek 80 Tenth Street, Nanaimo BC (250) 713-1696 www.gss.org/loc_wexfordcreek.htm

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MARCH 2011

Entrepreneurs

CHAR LANDS HER DREAM BY MARGARET GROWCOTT

orn and raised in the small Okanagan town of Winfield, Charlene Patterson recently took early retirement after 30 years in the computer business. A graduate of UBC, she was a private computer consultant, largely in the aviation industry. For the last 12 years, she worked for a cruise ship line and was in charge of the computer department. “I have pretty much travelled the world with my job,” she says. “Now I want to stay put in one place, and I want my family, friends and the world to come to me.” Charlene returned to the orchards of Winfield for one year and dabbled in landscaping while she fathomed her future. Always an entrepreneur at heart, Charlene started to look for a busi-

Being a business owner means wearing different hats. Here, Charlene Patterson works on updating the old church she purchased in Port Alberni.

HAZARDOUS TO YOUR WEALTH ��

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ness where she could work and live in the same space. She stipulated that it should be in a small community and near the ocean. She thought about a “Wine on Premise” kind of business or a B&B, but couldn’t get enthusiastic about these ideas. Plans started to gel when Charlene visited Coombs and heard the Port Alberni band Full House. She immediately felt drawn to that easy listening kind of music, which epitomized the lifestyle she wanted to adopt. After talking to these musicians and hearing they were from Port Alberni, she decided to take a look at this former industrial city, in a valley of undisputed scenic beauty, which now boasts the title of “Ultimate Fishing Town of Canada.” “I discovered Port Alberni was a well-developed, well-designed small city with a new hospital, and many amenities that I desire in a community, like a vibrant arts centre, and a variety of local musicians,” says Charlene. “The Alberni Historical Society is a must for me to join, and the museum is one of the best I have seen in a city of this size.” Although she loves Winfield, she feels it is too small and lacks many of the features she was looking for. “I could see a lot of potential in Port Alberni for a person like me,” she says. “I feel I can contribute to this community.” Charlene looked at properties where she might incorporate some kind of business and a living area for herself. After viewing several places, she was shown a building that was not yet for sale. Charlene immediately fell in love with the old church on Argyle Street opposite City Hall. The very essence of this one-time Methodist, United, and then Salvation Army Church attracted her like nothing she had seen before. “The building has a warm and gentle spirit,” she says, “and I could feel a welcoming presence as soon as I stepped inside.”

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MARCH 2011

To Move or Not to Move?

A Helpful Guide For Seniors Considering Their Residential Options To Move or Not to Move?

To Move or Not to Move? A Helpful Guide for Seniors Considering Their Residential Options

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Charlene had “landed” – this was where she could live and work. She has now moved in and renovations are underway while Charlene lives in a basement suite still under construction. Also downstairs will be three guest rooms with full baths, a sort of B&B, but she won’t cook breakfast for her guests; they will get their own in a shared kitchen. Upstairs at Char’s Landing, in addition to the large main room, which can be a dance floor, an intimate theatre, a cinema, or a rostrum for poets and writers to read their work, there will be an Internet café with Starbucks Espresso. At the back of the main floor will be a library and newspaper/ magazine reading area with a fireplace.

“I have travelled the world with my job. Now I want to stay put in one place, and I want my family, friends and the world to come to me.” Plans for the main room include movie nights showing specialty older films. This will be an effective substitute for the now defunct and sadly missed Film Fest. Valentines will be catered for and another idea coming to fruition is Oscar Night when patrons can dress up and attend to watch the Academy Awards on the specially mounted large screen.

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“I want this to be a venue where all the things you associate with arts will be happening, particularly live music,” says Charlene. “We are just a few blocks from the Rollin Art Centre, and they are very happy we are adding this facility to South Port, which has long been considered an arts

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neighbourhood.” Every step of the way, however, Charlene has faced challenges. She knows what she wants, but is stymied by contractors who listen to her instructions and still insist on doing it their way. She continually hears, “You’re a woman in a man’s world, and this is the way to do it.” At times daunted by this approach, and the fact that costs are way above the estimates, Charlene continues to maintain equilibrium. Still, she almost lost it when the wheelchair ramp and platform, quoted by the designer to cost $10,000, turned out to be $70,000. Determined to carry on, Charlene hosted a New Year’s Eve dance even though the space was not quite finished. She was rewarded by a hugely successful evening, and was inspired by the positive comments and support from local residents. “My dream, that the 1,000-sq. ft. main area of Char’s Landing with its original 100-year-old hardwood floor will become a community meeting place, keeps me going.” SL

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MARCH 2011

Starting Over

Entrepreneurs

BY GARY GRIECO

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have had several careers – all enjoyable, and all interesting; though I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur at the time. I retired from the corporate world at 40. Why? I thought I was old. If it was a mid-life crisis, I had been experiencing that non-conformance thought since I was 30. I like to say that I started at the top and worked my way down – at least as far as remuneration and prestige are concerned. But those judgments are through the eye of the beholder, and certainly not from my perspective. At age 23, I was the editor of the glossy, Manitoba Junior Chamber of Commerce Magazine. I had to make a choice at that time. Did I want to be in the journalism business where my heart was, or the corporate world where prestige and generous remuneration and benefits were to be garnered? I chose big business and joined the corporate world in 1964 where I climbed the ladder from a technical sales representative in the chemical industry, to head of the Western Region in Canada when I was 34, with autonomous responsibility for a manufacturing plant, transportation of goods, and a seven division sales force. The ’70s were heady days for commerce in Canada. Profits were great and companies were generous with their employees and community. But, I felt there was something missing from my life. I let it be known I yearned to get out of the corporate life at 40, and get back to my first love of writing. No one really took me seriously except for my wife, Phyllis. After all, few would think of giving up a successful career where, as the youngest of my peers, I had the best shot at the position of company president. I did resign, much to the chagrin of my mentor, the company vice-president. “Take two years off. Do what you have to do, and

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come back and take up where you left off,” he said. I knew even then that you can’t go home. My goals were simple at that point. The first was towing the 30-foot (9.1-metre) sailboat I had designed and built to Salt Spring Island, where my wife and I had bought property two years before. We planned to build our West Coast dream home, sail the Strait of Georgia, and enjoy this eclectic island known as the Bahamas of Canada. The house was built, the boat was launched, and I completed the illustrated children’s book I had written for our first grandchild. These were good days. Then, a loss of substantial capital due to a faulty business decision in hardware bruised my ego and reduced our bank balance. I retreated to the world of sailing, and writing stories, which reflected these dark hours. My childhood sweetheart and wife of 24 years helped me recover my self-esteem. I entered the real estate world, paid my dues, and recovered our losses. Within a few years, I formed my own real estate company. The close proximity to the best bakery in town turned our office into a combination meeting place and coffee shop for locals and prospective clients. Salt Spring was, and still is, a desirable real estate market. It seemed like most islanders were speculators in this hot market. Salt Spring’s mystique attracts retirees from all over North America, as well as Hollywood notables and rock stars. We enjoyed the real estate hustle and bustle for 11 years. It was a satisfying life filled with work, sailing and still writing the occasional newspaper or magazine article about island life or travel. Then, working seven days a week became just a job. I have a strong belief that when something in your life quits being fun, change it! That’s what we did. When you’re going to make big changes, having a flexible wife is the key. We sold our gorgeous home, retired from a thriving business – again – and moved lock stock and barrel to our property on Texada Island in the Strait of Georgia across from the city of Powell River. After spending a summer sailing Desolation Sound and building on Texada, we went east to Winnipeg to visit our sons. That’s where the idea began for my third career. My wife and I were

just shy of 57. After helping our younger son with home renovations before we headed south for the winter, I found myself at loose ends. I was reduced to spending part of my day at the local mall being critical of all the old guys walking around in parkas, hands in pockets, with nothing to do. My god, I was one of them! Exasperated, Phyllis said to our son Glen, a professional semidriver, “Will you please take your father to work with you!” The drivers were intelligent and hardworking, and the industry exciting with the drama of huge equipment moved around by “puny” man. I was so impressed, that unknown to my son or family in Winnipeg, I enrolled in and completed a professional driving course in Powell River when we returned from our snowbird trip south. Many men and some women share my fantasy of sitting behind the wheel of a huge rig pulling a long load down a lonely highway in the dead of night. I have passed through a town actually named, The Middle of Nowhere. It is magical. The bonus for me was free research for my writing, and driving only in winter, leaving the rest of the year free for sailing and other pursuits. This was my third career; second as a senior. In my travels, I met many drivers from all walks of life – submariners, realtors and stockbrokers, some who drove as husband-and-wife teams for pleasure and extra income. I believe experience pays off when it comes to entrepreneurship, and that seniors are going to lead the way to the future. The tech market and dot.com companies of the 1980s, headed up by youthful entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, were king. But like them, the world around us is getting greyer. According to statistics, fewer baby boomers retire today because of financial reasons or just a desire to stay active. Senior entrepreneurs over 50 now represent a significant percentage of the workforce. If you fall into this group, you may want to consider starting a business. Remember, you have a lifetime of experience, and that success comes from dedication, knowledge and ingenuity. My personal path has come full circle back to writing. For the last eight years, and now at 70, writing full time is my last SL career. Maybe!

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MARCH 2011

Entrepreneurs

Speaking Up! STORY AND PHOTOS BY MATHIEU POWELL

addy Kennedy is opening a new studio in Victoria this month called Kennedy Communication Studios – a place where the community can rehearse their presentations, and where she will provide Life Story and Journal Writing classes for women over 50. “So many women have fascinating stories that so few share,” she says. “Take war brides. They’ve been so busy contributing, raising children, fitting into our culture that they’ve had little time or inclination to tell their tale. I’d like to help women in Victoria open up the doors to themselves.” Paddy wants women to ask themselves: “What do I really think? And could I stand up there and perform it? Could I tell a story about my life and imbue it with enough meaning and significance that people would want to hear?” “The answer is ALWAYS yes,” says Paddy. “Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel says, ‘to not tell your story is to betray your existence.’” Paddy teaches her students that they can say anything to anybody if they know how to phrase it. If they use the wrong tone of voice, it will put people off in a nanosecond, but if they learn how to use their voices, they can have a profound effect on people. “I lived in New York through 9/11. And the great Canadian anchor Peter Jennings at ABC news covered the crisis. The ratings for all other news stations fell off immediately following 9/11 because the entire nation, without knowing why, turned to the man with the voice that

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was able to calm a nation.” Paddy teaches people to speak with confidence. In New York, she worked with CEOs and international business leaders in foreign accent reduction and the language of global business. “There are some brilliant minds there, but many haven’t yet been able to meaningfully participate at the global table because their idiomatic language fails them,” she says. “When you can’t speak the language properly, people assume you are stupid.” While Paddy enjoys her work “in the boardroom,” her real love is taking people from the community and helping them find their voices – especially immigrants and women at risk. “Don’t get me wrong, the boardroom stuff is exciting. It’s really exciting to read about my clients in The Economist. I like it. But it doesn’t get me up in the morning,” she says. Today, Paddy works with young immigrants at VIRCS (Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society). In her Speak Up classes, they learn to confidently present themselves in English. They are required to practise speeches

“When you can’t speak the language properly, people assume you are stupid.” and poetry, which will culminate in a public presentation. “I want them to know they have landed; they have the right to be here, and we’re interested in hearing from them. I guess you can say this is, on a community level, my way of getting young international people to the global boardroom.” Paddy recently moved to Victoria to help her mother recover from a serious accident. Her mother’s unpredictable recovery meant getting a job was out of the question. Fortunately, Paddy has an unquenchable entrepreneurial spirit that has always allowed her to land on her feet. “I was a competitive figure skater,” she says. “Figure skating teaches you the fine art of falling and dusting yourself off because the show must go on.” This spirit first awoke with Paddy realizing she could make a healthy income at a young age by coaching figure skating – that is, if she excelled. In those days, a professional skater had to align herself with a skating club and it was up to her to attract young skaters to coach. Paddy worked hard. Every day, she skated eight hours, followed with schedule that alternated between gymnastics or yoga and finished with 50 laps in the pool. Her work paid off when she turned professional as a top-qualified triple gold medallist. But there were setbacks. She was known as the skater in the senior women’s division who wore a hockey helmet because she suffered a severe head injury that many thought

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MARCH 2011

Entrepreneurs would end her career. She didn’t let it stop her. She talked her doctors and her mother into letting her continue. “My mom found me a really cute leather hockey helmet and I entered a competition. It was covered in the same fabric as my skating dress, which was pink with pearls. I competed in my first senior year with a hockey helmet on.” Turning professional, Paddy’s reputation and tenacity was attracting many aspiring young figure skaters, and she did very well financially. Unfortunately, after she endured all the pain and setbacks, Paddy was forced to retire in 1972 and missed the Olympics by a narrow margin because she suffered a second serious head injury and increased joint pain. It was a difficult, depressing time in Paddy’s life. She had to learn to walk and talk again. “I realized the only way I was going to be able to get my life back was to set the bar really high. Otherwise, it wasn’t worth getting out of bed in the morning.” She pined to go back to work and made it her goal. Her next entrepreneurial venture began because people started to ask about her story – how she began as a top-trained competitive figure skater and ended up completely disabled and started over again at 26 with little education. After she told her story, she was inspired to join a Toastmasters group that met every Wednesday morning in

Entrepreneur Paddy Kennedy with her students.

Kitsilano. She lived in East Vancouver at that time. “My body was very sick,” she says. “I had to train my body to get up, get dressed and go to work one day a week because I realized I had to somehow break the disabled moniker. I’d get about halfway down Granville Street when my body just capsized and I’d have to get off the bus, go into a back alley and vomit for 10 minutes.” But she got to the meetings and participated every week until she was healed, and that experience led to the work she is now so passionate about. “I knew I was not completely broken,” she laughs. “I guess I didn’t know how to accept being disabled.” She began teaching Chi Gong to terminal cancer patients as an alterna-

tive form of therapy to control pain. After a class one day, she asked one of her students what his biggest fear was as he faced his death. He started to cry and said, “That my children will never know my story.” Paddy heard this fear from others repeatedly. “When I asked other patients about their biggest frustration, they told me it was that no one really listened to them.” She finally decided she would be the one to encourage people to find their voices while they could still tell their stories. “It became my passion to help people ‘stand up and speak up.’ If we don’t find the stories that connect us to each other, we rob ourselves and SL we rob our society.”

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How To

10 Ways to Unlock Creativity BY DANNY R. VON KANEL

“When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do, our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity. So play with your intuition.” –Linda Naiman

very day, writers sit in front of blank computer screens. Painters gaze onto blank canvases. Composers stare at sheets of blank staff paper. Blank describes their current creative output. This momentary block of creative energy paralyzes any meaningful connection with their craft. While writers, painters, and composers have learned the skills to recharge their creative juices, the average senior adult has not. Use the following 10 ways to unlock creativity and awaken the imagination:

1. Take a break.

Give yourself a chance to regroup. That pause before returning to task can re-charge energy and imagination. Speaking of energy, physical exhaustion can cause one’s creative juices to plummet. A simple solution: drink a glass of water. A mere two per cent drop in the body’s water supply can trigger signs of dehydration. Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. Return to creative endeavours refreshed and hydrated. If creativity remains stifled, take a longer break and do one or more of the following nine.

2. Listen to music.

Let your favourite tunes awaken your creativity. Whether it’s George Beverly Shea, Bach, Glen Miller or Ethel Waters, revisit and draw inspiration from the sights, sounds, and awakened emotions.

3. Escape the familiar.

The more you grapple with charting unfamiliar territory, the greater your chance to happen upon the next creative adventure. Experience a new culture, write fiction instead of non-fiction, paint a landscape instead of still life, build a hope chest instead of a birdhouse, or study a new instrument. Don’t aim for perfection. Use your fumbling attempt at something new to draw insight, inspiration and stimulation to return to what you know – incorporating fresh concepts and ideas to your creative re-adventure.

4. Think of the possibilities.

Ask questions and the solutions may have a touch of originality. Using “what if” questions opens floodgates of untried ideas. Any idea never tried is inherently creative. Brainstorming and word maps allow for you to group ideas and new ways to approach a subject.

5. Talk with creative people.

Start with writers, artists and musicians. Ask what they do to drive their creativity. How do their relationships with others impact their inventiveness? Make a list of their best ways to confront writer’s, painter’s, or whatever “block” has stifled their spontaneous originality. Make a commitment to try each until one works for you.

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6. Develop curiosity.

Curiosity is one step from creative genius. Develop a healthy sense of asking why. Why do we do what we do? Why do certain things work the way they do? Throw in some “how” questions. How can some things be done better? How is one idea superior to another? Understanding people, things and processes stores new information that can be quickly applied. Curiosity makes that possible.

7. Visualize opposites.

Somewhere in the middle of visualizing opposites may be a new way, idea, or solution, so try it. If something seems mundane, look to the opposite – “exotic.” If what you are doing now seems uninteresting, could it be made interesting with a little tweaking? That becomes your new creative moment. Even the opposite can furnish that spur of creativity you’re missing.

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8. Isolate what you do as mundane.

Play at the commonplace to make it fun. In the process, you will find ways to turn imagination on its head. If your hobby has become routine, play at it. Take cooking, for instance. Instead of shrinking your imaginative space with precise recipes, measurements, and sameness, improvise and make up your own rules – just as a child would if they were in the kitchen and asked to play. The result of your “play-time” may not be the best recipe on the planet, but you will have a blast at it, leaving you with ideas that work or don’t work, knowledge of new taste, and a wealth of thoughts to try later.

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9. Test the obvious.

New solutions beyond what’s always been done are usually something creative. Make a list of things you consistently do the same way. Outside each, write other ways the chore or habit can be done differently. Most chores and habits require little imagination or creativity. Your new list can add a spark of excitement and anticipation.

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10. Yield work to become play.

Let work become play as long as it spurs your intuition. I have found my writing becomes more creative when I’m relaxed, free of time pressures and precise writing expectations, and unhinged from feeling like work. In effect, the more I play at writing, the more my words flow from mind to printed page. The next time you face a “blank page” in your creative pursuits, try any one or more of these 10 ways to unlock fresh approaches to originality. Doing so assures a new SL creative you.

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MARCH 2011

tech senior

ing, but under certain circumstances, malicious programs can open some. One way to minimize the risk is to buy a device called a hardware router, which hides those ports from casual detection on the Internet.

• Update regularly. Programs are tremendously complicated beasties, and always have bugs; bugs that occasionally can open up access to your computer. For this reason, you must regularly update your programs to the latest versions, BY DAVID PANKHURST especially those connecting to the Internet, like your browser, video and audio players, common utilities like Acrobat and Flash, as well as all operating system patches.

Fear and Loathing on the Information Superhighway

clicked on a picture recently – and my computer immediately told me I was under a virus attack. Welcome to 2011, and the world of high security on the Internet. Whoever you are, someone out there wants what you have: to take over your computer, to hack into your bank account, or to trash your hard drive. So, what can you do to avoid a loss to cyber crime?

Why Me? Nothing personal, but that hacker likely doesn’t know or care about you – he’s after your computer and what’s on it. For instance, stored passwords unlock bank accounts, or provide access to sites they can benefit from (such as logging into your Facebook account and sending all your friends naughty ads). Or it’s the computer they want: using a program they put on it, it becomes a “zombie,” obeying a master far, far away, yet seemingly working like normal. These zombie computers are then leased out in groups for malicious uses, like Denial Of Service (DOS) attacks, or sending thousands of spam emails.

Steps to Safety So, they want your computer – what can you do? Here are a few tips: • Use a virus program. While a virus program running on your computer can sometimes be an annoyance, being infected is far, far worse. Popular free programs include AVG Free and Avast! Free Antivirus. Be sure to run a system scan as soon as you install it, to check if you’re already infected. • Watch your connections. Your computer is out there on the Internet constantly, and it has visible doorways, called ports, through which data passes. These ports often do noth38

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• Use a firewall. A hardware router keeps malicious programs out; keeping them in is the job of a firewall. How can they get in? Broken programs that are exploited by hackers, or accidentally downloading a malicious program are two ways. A firewall forces all programs to ask for permission before going out on the Internet, giving you warning if something is amiss. Microsoft comes with Windows Firewall built in, which should be turned on for protection unless you have another firewall program active. • Check for rootkits. Rootkits are the Ebola or HIV of the virus world – their goal is to dig into your operating system so deep they can’t be detected or removed. Sophos Anti-Rootkit is one program that can help you locate and remove them, but the best defence is to never be infected, or to completely reinstall your operating system if you have been. • Be wary about websites and email. In theory, all emails and websites are safe once you’ve got your system set up and protected. However, new computer attacks, called “exploits,” happen regularly, so if your Internet browser acts funny on a website, shut it down immediately. And with email, avoid clicking on any email or attachment link if possible; use bookmarks instead, or type the address directly into the browser. • Avoid being a victim of “social engineering.” This fancy term simply means people conning people. If someone asks you for a password or any personal information, don’t give it to him or her. Don’t write passwords down, and avoid using the same password on every site you visit. Also, never use an easy to guess password, such as birthdates, pet or family names, favourite TV character, and so on.

Conclusion Internet security is a balancing act between usability and safety. However, by exercising a little care and caution, you can avoid opening your computer up to the world, and inviting criminals to turn your home on the Internet into a doorway for crime. After all, zombies belong in films and SL TV – not on your computer!

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ASK Goldie

www.bclifeline.com

Contact the program nearest you:

Dear Goldie: My husband and I have just divorced after 20 years of marriage. We have three children, two sons in high school and a daughter at university. They have been aware of our problems for the last few years and our sons are not surprised by our decision to part. The problem is that our daughter, who is studying psychology, has decided she can fix everything. Her persistence is annoying. How can we make her see that we know what we want? –O.P.

SENIOR PEER COUNSELLING CENTRES Victoria 250-382-4331 Duncan 250-748-2133 Nanaimo 250-754-3331 Sidney 250-656-5537 Courtenay/Comox 250-334-9917 Salt Spring Island 250-537-4607 Port Hardy 250-949-5110

Goldie Carlow is a retired registered nurse, clinical counsellor and senior peer counselling trainer.

Dear W.D.: Good manners are part of good behaviour, and I suspect that is what is bothering you. You and your wife have no obligation to entertain this person. Perhaps the easiest way to handle this matter is to let him know immediately that you will not SL be available when he arrives.

Delaney Relocation Services

�� Anne Delaney, CSA ��

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Dear O.P.: Parental breakup can be devastating for families and particularly so for children who are still dependent. Your daughter is trying to prevent this traumatic event by using her newly learned skills. If her behaviour persists, it may interfere with her studies. To prevent this, you could suggest she contact her school’s counsellor. Having an outside perspective may help to convince her that your actions are truly what you want. It may also help her work through her own feelings of grief.

Dear Goldie: Last summer, my wife and I had a wonderful holiday in England. While there, we met a gentleman who was also visiting our hosts and enjoyed social times together. Since our return, he has sent several letters to my wife. I am not included in the address or content. I find this offensive, and she has not replied to them. Well, out of the blue, this person has sent word that he will visit our city in June and wishes to see us. Should we reply and, if so, how can we avoid seeing him? –W.D.

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BY GOLDIE CARLOW, M.ED

Victoria Lifeline • 1-888-832-6073 Eldersafe Support Services • 1-866-457-8987 South Vancouver Island and Ladysmith Nanaimo Lifeline Program • 250-739-5770 or 250-947-8213 Mid Island, Cassidy to Bowser Comox Valley Lifeline Society • 1-866-205-6160 North Island, Cowichan Valley and Chemainus/Crofton

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Photo: Jason van der Valk

Live Safely and Independently in Your Own Home

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SOCIALIZING Dining, Dancing, Dating Getting out, meeting new friends, re-entering the dating world and rekindling the spark. WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

MARCH 2011

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SAANICH VOLUNTEER SERVICES seeks volunteers who can drive clients to medical appointments. If you have time to spare call 250-595-8008.

CHERISH MEMORIES. Slides/Prints to DVD Movie with movement, music, titles. Special senior rates. 250-383-4220 [lv message]; or christinefbk@hotmail.com

KELOWNA PLUS 55 HOME SHARING • From $595/month. • A-la-carte living. • 250-768-9151 www.missionbellsmanor.com

SENIOR CONCIERGE SERVICES Marvelous companionship with personalized services. Grocery shopping, errands, and memorable outings. Call Agnes Campbell 250-588-5509. www.catch-the-moments.com

HOUSESITTING Retired male college teacher available from end of May. Five years experience. Pet/Garden care. References. 250-668-5442.

RUBBISH REMOVAL TRAILERBOYS HAULING Services. U load it, We tote it. www.trailerboys.ca, Rubbish/ Garden waste disposal service. Starting at $79. Phone: 250-216-9892

THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU of Vancouver Island is located at 220-1175 Cook St., Victoria BC V8V 4A1. Toll-free phone line for Up-Island 1877-826-4222 (South Island dial 250-386-6348). www.bbbvanisland.org E-mail: info@bbbvanisland.org WRITTEN A BOOK? Aldridge Street Editing can get your manuscript print-ready. Transcription - Editing - Cover Design - Book Layout. www.aldridgestreet.com Call 250-595-2376. COLLECTOR SEEKING vintage/collectable cameras, binoculars and microscopes. Nikon, Leica, Contax, Rolleiﬂex, Zeiss, Canon, etc. Mike 250-383-6456 or e-mail: msymons6456@telus.net RUTH M.P HAIRSTYLING for Seniors in Greater Victoria. In the convenience of your own home! Certiﬁed Hairdresser. Call - 250-893-7082. BBB ACCREDITED PROUD MEMBER Home Instead Senior Care has professional non-medical CAREGivers who are passionate about their work, and are looking for new clients to serve. Call Alistair for a complimentary consultation 250.382.6565. HOME AGAIN SENIORS TRANSITION SERVICES: Downsize and move with ease. We offer a caring hand. Call (250)984-4044 or visit www.seniorshomeagain.ca BOARD MEMBER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Seniors Serving Seniors provides information on seniors’ services to Victoria residents. Seeking individuals with practical experience in seniors’ social and health services, gift planning, research grants, and social media. Email resume by April 15th info@seniorsservingseniors.bc.ca.

WANTED: OLD POSTCARDS, stamp accumulations, and pre-1950 stamped envelopes. Also buying old coins, medals and badges. Please call Michael 250-652-9412 or email fenian@shaw.ca HOME FOOT CARE by Nurse Foot Care Specialist Marcia Goodwin R.N.,B.Sc.N. 35 yrs. Nsg. Experience • Caring • Comprehensive • Professional • Gentle 250686-3081. (Victoria Area) MOBILE FOOT CARE NURSE home visits in greater Nanaimo, Cedar to Parksville. John Patterson LPN, qualified nursing foot care for toenails, corns and calluses. 250-390-9266. PLAY-FOR-PLEASURE piano lessons, Cordova Bay. Beginners package available. It’s never too late! Call 250-658-0246. RELAXING, LIVE PIANO Want soothing background music at your next event? Local composer plays original piano for you. Listen at http://greenvelvetmoon.com Lisa: 1-877-6VELVET. AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE RESPITE and private care day/night. Qualified to handle nearly every care need. Let’s discuss yours. 778-922-0933 or bonniekyle2@yahoo.com LAWN AND GARDEN SERVICES starting at 30/hr. Certified Horticulturist - Fully Insured. References on request. Call Jason @ 250-893-8620 or email oliphantgardens@gmail.com PRIVATE CAREGIVER available (with nursing background), to provide personal/home support for seniors. First-aid, CPR and FoodSafe. Call Tammy 250-474-2555 COMPUTER BASICS IN YOUR HOME. Patient senior computer lady to show you e-mail, surfing. Hourly fee. Connect with your world. 250-516-5980.

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IN HOME FOOT CARE done by an experienced registered nurse. Includes foot soak and massage. (Saanich Peninsula). Barbara at 250-818-4326. RJH HAIRSTYLING 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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$30 for 20 words or less. $1.25 per extra word. BW only. Boxed Ad - Small (2.2 x 1.2) $110. Boxed Ad - Large (2.2 x 2.4) $210. Add BW Logo - $25. Red spot color 10% extra. Plus tax. All Classiﬁed ads must be paid at time of booking. Cheque / Credit Card accepted. Ph. (250)479-4705 or toll-free 1-877-479-4705. Deadline: 15th of the month. Make cheque payable to: Senior Living, Magazine 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1

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OCTOBER 2009 39

BYGONE Treasures View of Roatan from Valor

It Started with a Book

ark Twain said, “There are people who accomplish things and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded.” In my case, I blame it all

BY MICHAEL RICE

Or maybe it’s me who doesn’t play very well. Government years went by, and after a forefinger had a on a book. Our family found some old books in the basement of disagreement with a wood axe, I took some time to ponder our first home in Victoria. The one I remember best was A my future. I never went back. I’m blessed with a loving and supportive wife and family, Vagabond Journey Around the World, filled with photos of unpronounceable foreign places as they were in 1903, and and with their encouragement, I went from swirling my toe this spurred a keen interest in history and geography that’s in the bathtub of a hobby business to a cannon dive into the uncharted waters of self-employment. Yep, that was scary. fascinated me ever since. If you’re old enough to remember the Roy Rogers RidThrough high school, I worked for the Times wholesale office and supervised scores of boys who earned four cents ers Club, where kids signed a form saying they’d follow “the rules,” you’ll recall Rule No. 6 for every newspaper they sold on – study hard and learn all you can. street corners. A budding entrepreRoy had good advice. neur even at 14, I posted a list of “Success is liking yourself, In the antiques trade, you coins I would buy for more than can’t just order inventory from a face value, knowing I could reliking what you do, and liking wholesaler, you have to go find sell them and use the profit to fuel how you do it.” it, and then likely compete with growing collections of stamps and –Maya Angelou your own customers to buy it. The books. Many times, the boys made exciting part is you never know more from me than they did from what will turn up next. In the fruit newspaper sales. business, you buy an orange and sell an orange; some have Over the years, I worked for a bank (more coins), for a stamp dealer in England (more stamps), and spent Saturdays seeds and some don’t. Whoopee. In a typical week, I get to haunting the London street markets soaking up information poke around basements, dig through storage bins and look on the antiques trade. Returning to Canada, I paid college in boxes that haven’t been opened since Grandma passed fees by buying anything old at garage sales and reselling it at on in 1980. What I find is amazing! There are old diaries, the long-gone Tillicum drive-in flea market. Collecting was pressed flowers, faded photos and naughty bits under the bed. shaping up as a sustainable hobby. I’ve learned what’s worth keeping, and where to find it a With a shiny business degree, I travelled the byways of new home when it’s time for someone to let it go. B.C. as a government employee, visiting countless secondThroughout this, I get to meet many interesting people hand shops and antiques dealers after hours, restricting my purchases to things I could lug back on a plane. I learned who like to reminisce, I get to write about what I love, I look at folks’ treasures and provide valuations (see you at the Sealong the way. There was that strange lady in Lillooet whose store and niors Expo!), and save an incalculable number of odds and home was stacked like a warehouse with little hotel-sized ends from destruction. Writer Maya Angelou said it well – “Success is liking bars of soap (Note to self: do not buy little hotel-sized bars of soap. I know where there are enough to wash the entire yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” It Canadian population every Saturday until 2052). There was works for me. SL that roadside sale in Creston with a table full of 1960s lunch boxes priced at 50 cents each (worth hundreds now). And Comments and suggestions for future columns are welcome and then there was that 1966 Beatles bass guitar I found in a Ver- can be sent to Michael Rice, PO Box 86, Saanichton, BC V8M 2C3 non pawnshop. I still have it, though it doesn’t play very well. or via email to fenian@shaw.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

MARCH 2011

Travel & Adventure

Ski Spring Break for Boomers

BY JANE CASSIE

t’s Spring Break 1971, and I’m flying down The Cut, a popular slope on Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain. The conditions are ski-sational: soft base, unlimited visibility and sunny skies. Then, out of the blue, interrupting my schussing solo: Here Comes The Sun, I’m falling head over heels with the man I’ll marry (23 years and two children later, but that’s another story!). Fast track to 2011: we’re standing 42

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on the windblown 2,225 metre-high summit of The Stoker Chair and I realize two things. After 40 years, we still have passion for powder. And Revelstoke Mountain Resort, embraced by the Monashees and Selkirks, is a great place to find it! “We can get 60 feet a season,” our instructor, Nitzan Nzuella explains, as pillow-soft flakes fall chaotically from the sky. “And this mountain’s so big, you’ll be blown away!” Although not WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

totally comforted by her words, it’s clear. This expert is pumped. We’ve noticed it with others – there’s a definite buzz about this newest kid on the ski block. Maybe because it’s the only village that offers top-of-the-line extreme shopping; lift, cat, heli and backcountry skiing, rolled-into-one. The historical hamlet of nearby Revelstoke probably has an influence too. But more likely, it’s the future growth of this four-year-old

that’s generating the most hype. Eventually 20 lifts will service more than 100 runs and manicured fairways will lace the valley floor. Hotels, townhomes and retail will straddle a pedestrian hub – another world-class wonderland? Look out Whistler! “Let’s go for snow!” Nitzan quips excitedly from our view-boasting bluff. “Whatever we see, we can ski!” Countless downhill options fan out before us from this highest lift-serviced vertical in North America: evergreen glades, untracked chutes and barren bowels. All are covered in an epic dump and, just like the lift lines, they’re uncluttered, serene. “Just lean forward and bend your knees,” she explains, when sensing my apprehension about the thigh-deep cloaking. “And tense your core.” Easy for her to say. Although this mom of a six-month old has a belly tighter than a drum, mine has been slacking off for decades. And I have no recollection of this much snow! Maybe I should have stuck to the

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lower-level dog sledding or Nordic trails. Better yet, a massage table! Too late now. At least there’s The Last Spike, if I chicken out. The 15.2 kilometre trail frequently intersects the steeper pitches and assures an easier descent. But to my surprise, after following Nitzan’s lead, I don’t need this escape route. Well, not yet. The untracked terrain is lighter than goose down and, thanks to her tips, I rediscover that familiar bobbing rhythm. Over the next two days, we scroll down cruisers like Critical Path and Chopper, exclaim yee-haws on Snow Rodeo and Wooly Bully, and ease onto that cat track if our thighs burn. When it’s time to refuel, Mackenzie Outpost and Mid Mountain Lodge are just a glide away, or Rockford Wok|Bar|Grill is snuggled in the village hub. Right next door, sharing this first-class Nelsen Lodge is our favourite after-hours hangout, a chic contemporary suite where we

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From the Movie of Alfred Hitchcock

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Travel & Adventure crash in comfort – a chef-envy kitchen, heavenly bed, nearby hot tub. What more does a getaway girl need? “Ready to kick up more powder?” Brent asks, when realizing that I’ve been struck with a case of ski fever. “There’s also a lot at our next stop.” Revelstoke Mountain Resort has conquered their mission. I’m totally stoked and revved up by their slopes. Can I take on any more at Kicking Horse? After the white-knuckle drive through Roger’s Pass and the town of Golden, we roll into a fairy-tale-like village that’s swathed in winter wear. Yardstick-thick layers cloak timbered rooftops, marshmallow-shaped crowns festoon rocky pillars and crystal icicles shimmer from frozen eaves. Lodgings hug up to the village core and an eclectic array – everything from boutique hotels to chi-chi houses – dot the neighbouring streets. We go for an upscale ski in/out suite at the Palliser Lodge, where we have the best of both worlds – full-on luxuries that entice long-term hibernation and the happening hub just a short stroll away. The next morning, beneath a bluebird sky we discover just how popular it is. “We’ve broken a 30-year record – 80 centimetres in the last three days!” The loudspeaker announcement generates a roaring hooray from the affable crowd. “Conditions like this bring out all the diehards,” Don Steinhauer says, at the bustling base of Golden Eagle Express, an eight-passenger gondola that transports experts up CPR ridgeline to a windblown summit. From there, they can also access the Stairway To Heaven where more challenging chutes wait. “But we have runs for everyone,” he assures. “You’ll see.” Although I probably should have taken another lesson, this well-seasoned Snow Host alleviates some of my qualms. “Let’s ditch the crowds and go skiing,” he says, leading us away from the masses. By taking the Catamount quad to mid-station we bypass the vortex and, after a gentle cruiser, load onto Pioneer Chair. “This lift serviced the original Whitetooth Ski Area and has lots of great groomers,” Don says. “It beats waiting in line. That’s why the locals love it.” He calls out to a few who ski on the run below. Leslie is in her sixties, another

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Page 42, Revelation Gondola glides to the summit. Photo courtesy of Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Page 43, The untracked terrain is lighter than goose down. This page, top, Don Steinhauer gives Brent a few tips. Above, Jane and Brent check out the slope side safari of runs. Opposite page, Jane and Brent still both have passion for powder. Bottom, Eagle’s Eye Restaurant – the highest in Canada. Photos: Brent Cassie

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couple in their seventies. And as for Don? Although his peppered beard is a bit of a giveaway, based on his sleek technique it’s hard to say. While attempting to copy his squirrelly tracks, we literally glide on the wild side. Grizzly Paw, Wiley Coyote, and the signature, Kicking Horse – like a slope-side safari each run provides us with an adventurous descent. And just like the wilderness, they’re pretty deserted. Maybe that’s why Boo likes the area so much. Thirty-three penned acres are home to the resident orphaned grizzly, and though hibernating during these colder months, when the mountain bikers and hikers come out to play, so will he. After we lap this chair a few times, we make our way down to the village hub. “There’s not much of a lineup,” Don says when checking the gondola, “Let’s head to the heavens.” Suddenly, the lower-level tube park and skating rink look more inviting. Or maybe I could be a foodie for the afternoon. With the eight nearby eateries, I’d sure get my fill. “We can get lunch at

Eagle’s Eye,” Don pipes up, as if reading my mind. “On its Dogtooth Range perch, it’s the highest restaurant in Canada. And the food’s great.” Shortly after the 12-minute escalation, we’re testing it out – mouth-watering entrées like wild B.C. salmon, succulent chicken ciabatta and a goat cheese salad. And what a view! Weather-worn ridges extend from peak to peak and give way to vast bowls, glorious glades, chutes and couloirs. More than 85 options offer a thrilling way out. While the skilled go for gravity-defiers like Pearly Gates and Terminator, we get ready for “It’s A Ten,” the longest run of all. This 10km cat track wraps the mountainous contours like a flowing

scarf and, just like the memorable 1970 Eagle’s song that’s playing in my head, will provide us with a peaceful, easy SL feeling all the way down.

IF YOU GO: Revelstoke Mountain Resort 2950 Camozzi Road, Revelstoke 1-866-373-4754 www.revelstokemountainresort.com Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 1500 Kicking Horse Trail, Golden 250-439-5425 1-866-SKI-KICK (754-5425) www.kickinghorseresort.com

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MARCH 2011

SCAM ALERT BY ROSALIND SCOTT

Job Hunters are Popular Targets for Scam Artists

anadians are putting off retirement more than ever, choosing instead to remain in the workforce beyond traditional retirement age. According to Statistics Canada, between 1996 and 2006, the employment rate for seniors age 65 and older increased from 12 per cent to 15 per cent for men, and from four per cent to six per cent for women. Several factors keep Canadians working, from income and retirement considerations to good health and a desire to remain active. With so many Canadians remaining in the workforce, however, it means more opportunities for fraudsters to scam job hunters. Not thoroughly researching a job opportunity could result in the loss of hundreds or even thousands of dollars to any number of job-related scams. BBB recommends looking out for the following when searching for a job: The employer offers the opportunity to become rich without leaving home While many legitimate businesses allow employees to work from home, there are also many scammers trying to take advantage of those looking to make money conveniently from home. Job hunters should use extreme caution when considering a work-at-home offer and always research the company with their BBB first at vi.bbb.org 46

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The employer asks for money upfront Job hunters should never have to pay to be considered for a job. If a potential employer asks the job hunter to pay to cover the costs of testing, training or background checks, it’s a red flag. The salary and benefits offered seem too good to be true The adage holds true for job offers: if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Phoney employers might brag about exceptionally high salary potential and excellent benefits for little work and no experience necessary in order to lure unsuspecting job hunters into their scam. Job placement companies that make big promises Job placement companies often do not charge the job hunters for help finding a job, but instead are paid by companies that need help filling positions. Some job placement companies, however, have taken money from job hunters and not fulfilled their promises of quick employment. Review the placement terms upfront. The employer requires you to check your credit report After posting resumes online or responding to online job listings, some job hunters received what they thought was good news: an email from an interested employer. In order to be considered for the job, however, the applicant has to check his credit report through a recommended WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

website. The truth is the email is just an attempt to get the job hunter to divulge sensitive financial information. The employer is quick to ask for personal information Job hunters might receive an email offering a great opportunity, directing them to a website designed to install malware on their computer or solicit bank account or Social Insurance Number. In other cases, the job hunter might even be asked to submit a resume, find out he’s been hired and then immediately be asked for bank information or Social Insurance Number. The job requires you to wire money Many phoney jobs require the employee to cash a cheque sent by the company through the mail and then wire a portion of the money on to another entity. The cheque might clear the employee’s bank account, but will eventually turn out to be a fake and the employee is out the money he wired back to the scammers. SL For more advice on avoiding scams and fraud, visit vi.bbb.org If you believe you have been the target of a scam, call the Better Business Bureau Vancouver Island at 250-3866348 in Greater Victoria or at 1-877826-4222 elsewhere on the Island, so others can beneﬁt from your experience. E-mail info@vi.bbb.org

Photo: Frances Litman

COURAGEOUS and OUTRAGEOUS BY PAT NICHOL

BUILDING COMMUNITY

n January, I wrote about taking care of you, in February, about close friends and how important they are. This month I want you to think about a stone thrown into a pond and the circles that move out from that centre. I want you to consider your community at large. Your community includes your neighbourhood, a church congregation, the organizations that make up your social life and/or your business life and the city you live in. How much do you notice about what is happening in your community? Spend more time talking with your neighbours. I am convinced that our communities began to disintegrate when we stopped building front porches and moved our patios to the rear of our houses. If you don’t have a dog and walk it through your neighbourhood, there is a good possibility you don’t get to talk to your neighbours very often. For those who live in condos or apartment blocks, how often do you connect with the people even on the same floor? Find out the name of your next-door neighbour. Recently, I spent several months living in a different community. As a result, it was necessary for me to make new connections, find new places to shop, take part in church services with

a new group of people. In the first month, I spoke to one neighbour and waved to a couple of others. The incident I found most disconcerting was during the fellowship after the church service, which is an opportunity to welcome newcomers and share information and conversation. One Sunday, I got my cup and moved around the room, joining conversations, and attempting to connect with others in this community. Then, with cup in hand, I stood alone in the middle of the room, smiling hopefully. Fellowship seemed to be talking and connecting only with people they already knew. No one came near me. I am not a shy person. In fact, I love walking into a room full of strangers and attempting to make friends or at least acquaintances. My concern is that our communities are becoming fractured. As we mature, our worlds shrink anyway. Instead, try to expand rather than shrink. Talk to each other, smile at people you may not know, become that ripple that moves out from the stone SL thrown into the pond.

Do you get the Senior Living Readers Newsle�er? Sign up today by visi�ng our website at

www.seniorlivingmag.com Each month, we email subscribers our latest newsle�er containing informa�on you won’t find in our magazine. You never know what we’ll include! We have ar�cles on: • successful re�rement • seasonal recipes • computer �ps • gardening • travel • health • fitness • housing • finances • caregiving, etc. PLUS: Info on upcoming magazine features, events, senior-focused adver�sers, advice ar�cles on our website and interes�ng videos.

Become one of our Newsle�er subscribers today. Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. www.patnichol.com WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

No charge. Just visit our website at www.seniorlivingmag.com and sign up for our newsle�er on the Home Page. MARCH 2011

ReﬂTHEN ections & NOW MEMORIES FOR SALE

t was Saturday afternoon at the Imperial Theatre in Ottawa. Two feature films, a newsreel, a cartoon and an ongoing serial that left a 10-year-old boy (along with another 150 or so kids) clinging to the edge of our seats, anticipating how our brave hero could be saved from what appeared to be certain death! Come back next Saturday afternoon to see if he or she manages to escape and live. Oh, it was grand – all for 12 cents. Films were in black and white then. You had to imagine the colour. Roy Rogers was Roy Rogers, Johnny Weissmuller was Tarzan, and Lassie would come home. The Dead End Kids were becoming The Bowery Boys and we were getting older day by day without realizing it. Life was a game then – a game we thought would never end. And now, well over half a century later, there is little trace of the “once was.” The memories are blown about the winds of change and like dust settle on ancient minds. It’s hard to believe now that those times even existed. What a story to relay to our children and grandchildren, if only they wanted to hear. Some do but most don’t. Too busy planting the seeds of their own memories to harvest later in the fields of time.

My dad tried to tell me about his boyhood experiences, but I wasn’t interested. I was far too busy, too selfish, to journey back with him. So, he went the course alone. He had great stories – true stories. One I vaguely remember of him watching a native Sioux family crossing close to his home on the plains of South Dakota, seeking some unknown destination. My dad used to say that I’d be sorry I didn’t listen. He was right! I am sorry. So many treasures that could have been gathered were left to become dust in one man’s mind. I don’t know if my own memories of the past could be considered treasures or not. Many could be discarded, I know, but there are others worth keeping and sharing. Sometimes the road of memory can be a lonely one: like cooking a great dinner but having no one to share it with. I know none of my memories are covered in tattoos. None where I had my skin punctured with a ring in my nose, my eyebrow, my navel or any other body part willing to get lost in a fad. But I guess there are different memories for different times. Our youth will gather theirs just as we did and do. God bless them! What should we do with our memories now that we are old and getting older? It’s

“Reﬂections” MAIL-IN ORDER FORM Reﬂections, Rejections, and Other Breakfast Foods Name_____________________________________ by Gipp Forster A collection of Gipp’s humorous and nostalgic columns. A wonderful read for Reflections, �� yourself, and a and Other Breakfast Foods thoughtful gift for friends and family members.

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too bad we can’t have garage sales for old memories and stories that once meant something. Even memories and stories need a beginning, and we were there to get them going on their way. We don’t get very much for things we put in garage sales. A mere pittance for what they are worth. But a pittance is better than nothing at all, I guess. Sometimes I feel like walking down the street shouting, “Memories and stories for sale. Get memories and stories here!” People don’t even have to buy them. Heck, I’ll give them away free. Even if few who are younger are interested in our journey, you and I can still wander back to the days of 12-cent movies, nickel ice-cream cones, one-speed bicycles, glass milk bottles, twist doorbells, vestibules and 10-cent hot dogs. Solomon said it best, “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.” And maybe that’s so. But those long-ago times had a softness and sweet innocence about them that challenged us to dream our own dreams, never once thinking that one day we would be part of the past. Most of it was black and white, but oh, how the memories burst with colour! In those times, when there was so little past and so much future – in those times, SL when thoughts were young.

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