Young@Heart 2017

YOUNG AN ISLAND GUIDE FOR THE 50 PLUS

mobility MATTERS Driving program, scooters and more

DON’T GET TAKEN The ultimate guide to avoiding scams and fraud

salt spring creatives Meet Murray and Kristin Shoolbraid

DgiM

Driftwood gulf Islands Media

We d n e s d a y, M a r c h 1 5 , 2 0 1 7

HEART

Rainbow Road

the fun place to be!

indoor pool

250.537.1402 Rainbow RainbowRainbow Road Road 250.537.1402 250.537.1402 Road Summer Schedule

Monday Early Bird

nplaceRainbow nPool Schedule the ffuu Rainbow Summer 2015 Schedule RoadRoad WinRoad terSummer Schedul e 2013/14 the toRainbow Rainbow Road indoor poolIndoor be thisto summer! place be! the nplace to be! fu

Tuesday

Early Bird Shared 6:30 - 8:00 6:30 - 8:00

April 23 to Sept. 2, 2017 Check for fall/winter schedule

Wednesday Early Bird

Thursday

Early Bird Shared 6:30 - 8:00 6:30 - 8:00

Friday Early Bird

WATER FITNESS CLASSES In effect 1Energizer Sept.

Schedule in effect to Sept.3,6,2016 2015 Schedule in effect Sept.

22,May 2013 toMay Mayto 3,32014

Saturday

Early Bird Shared 6:30 - 8:00 6:30 - 8:00

Sunday

This class will

WATERchallenge FITNESS WATER WATERyou FITNESS FITNESS to CLASSES work CLASSES hard in shallow CLASSES

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Nooner Aquafit Adult/Youth Nooner Aquafit Adult/Youth Nooner Aquafit D your muscles blood flowing and These These exercises exercises are are 1-2 1 Everyone -2 1 - 2 Everyone 1 - 2 Everyone1 - 2 Toonie Swim Aqualite your Everyone muscles moving. designed designed to to get get your your If you have had hip or Welcome LapWelcome & Lesson LessonWelcome & Lap Lap & Lesson Lesson & LapWelcome Lap & Lesson 1:30 - 5:30 blood blood flowing owing and and knee trouble or flhave 2:00 - 6:00 Aqualite 2-3 2 2:00 - 3 - 6:00 2 - 3 2:00 - 6:00 2 - 3 2:00 - 6:002 - 3 your muscles muscles moving. moving. had heartyour problems, have had then this If is you the class Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone Shared Shared Shared Shared for you. This low hip or knee trouble Aqualite Aqualite Welcome 4:00 - Welcome 4:00 - Welcome Welcome intensity, or exer 4:00Welcome 4:00 Ifcardio If you you have had havehave had- had heart cise class hip iship perfect 3 - 6:30 6:00 3 - 6:30 6:00 3 - 6:30 3 - 6:30 6:003 - 6:30 6:00 or or knee knee trouble trouble problems, then this for those needing to heart or orthe have have had had heart is class focus on balance and for you. problems, problems, then then this this core strength.

This low intensity, isis the the class class for for you. you. cardio exercise class Friday Night Madness SwimLap Team Swim Team Team EveningSwim Swim Team Swim Team Team Swim Team Swim Swim Friday night Evening Lap Team This This low low intensity, intensity, This is a fun time forfor those is perfect Friday Night 6:00 7:30 6:00 7:30 6:00 7:30 6:00 7:30 6:00 8:00 6:00 8:00 6:00 8:00 6:00 8:00 cardio cardio exercise class class 6:30 - 8:00 6:30 - 8:00 Madness the younger folksexercise in Madness needing tofor focus on isis perfect perfect those those our community to for 6:30 8 pm 6:30 - 8:30 and coreon Evening Lengths Evening Lengths Evening Lengths Evening Lengths needing needing to to focus focus on come outbalance and enjoy 7:30 - 8:30 7:30 - 8:30 7:30 - 8:30 7:30 - 8:30 balance balance and and core core the pool. strength.

Periodically Rainbow Road Indoor Pool special events will be strength. strength.

General Admission Fees planned for this time Taxes included / Toonie swim $2.00 Friday Night Madness Taxes included / Toonie swim $2.00 GENERAL GENERALAADMISSION ADMISSION GENERAL DMISSION (includes Taxes HST)included LESSONS LESSONS LESSONS LESSONS slot.

Friday Friday Night Night Madness Madness Lessons 1/2 hour class $60.00/ 10 lessons Lessons 1/2 hour class $57.00/ 10 lessons Lessons 1/2 hour class $56.20/10 lessons Lessons 1/2 hour class $57.00/ 10 lessons This is a fun time for SSingle i n g l e AAdmission d m i s s i o n rrates arates t e s aapply papply p l y tto otoeeach aeach c h eentry nentry t r y pper eper r dday. aday. y.

Passes Passes Single Admission Passes SSingle iSingle ngle This time This is a fun for Lessons 3/4 hour class $70.00/ 10 lessons Lessons 3/4 hour class $70.00/ 10 lessons Lessons 3/4 hour class $66.45/10 lessons Youth (13 18) $4.30 Child (4-12) $3.20 Lessons 3/4 hour class $70.00/ 10 lessons Adult (19 +) $5.40 Fees include applicable Fees applicable taxes.

Feesinclude include applicable taxes. taxes.

Rotating Programing the younger folks infor our Times 202020 Times 1 Month Annual 1010Time Times Times 1 Month Annual Visit 10 Visit Visit Time 1 Month Annual 1/2 hour privates lessons$22.00 $22.00 hour privates 1/21/2 hour private lessonlessons $20.85 the younger younger folks in the in our 1/2 hour privates lessons $22.00 During these times 1 month $46.75 1 month $35.10 1 month $58.45 community to come Adult (19(19 yrsyrs and older) 1/2 hour semi private lessons Adult (19 yrsand andolder) older) 5.75 51.75 97.75 57.50 410.00 hour semi private lessons 49.50 93.50 59.65 562.10 5.50 Adult 6.00 54.15 102.30 60.15 410.00 5.30 46.90 88-60 57.40 562.10 1/21/2 hour semi=private lesson 1/2 hour semi private lessons the pool space community our community to maybeto come T o o n i e(2Speople) w(2i m people) $33.00 out and enjoy pool.

Annual $458.30 Annual $31.30$33.00 Youth/Student (13(13-18 - 18 yrsyrs or Student Card) Youth/Student (13-18 yrsvalid validstudent studen card) 4.50 40.50 76.50 45.00 295.00 Annual $572.80 Youth/Student oror valid card) 4.50 40.50 76.50 45.00 295.00 4.20 $343.70 37.50 45.90 479.70 37.50 70.90 45.90 479.70 4.20 (2(2people) people) $33.00 outother and enjoy the pool. come out andthe enjoy shared with $2.00 Child (6-12 yrs) 3.50 31.50 59.50 35.00 295.00 Periodically special Child (6-12 yrs) 3.50 31.50 59.50 35.00 295.00 Child (4 12 yrs) 28.50 34.45 359.76 28.50 53.20 34.45 359.76 3.15 AQUAFIT groups. the AQUAFIT Periodically special pool. Periodically 10x pass $38.20 10x pass $28.70 10x pass $47.75 Waterfit WATERFIT Charge Charge Charge NoCharge Charge Charge Example -events Lessons, Pass$7.50 $7.50 drop in/ in monthinpass pass$67.80 $67.80 Tot yrsyrs andand under) Tot(3(5(5 yrs and under) Free Free No Free No Free No Free Pass drop in$7.45 1/ 1month will be Tot under) Free Free Free Free Free No Charge No Charge No Charge No Charge Pass $7.45 drop events will beplanned planned special events will be Pass drop 20x pass $72.30 No 20x passNo $54.20 20x pass $90.30 1 month pass$67.50 $67.80 /Annual 10x $65.70 School 10x $67.50 /$67.80 $575.00 10x 12.70 112.60 212.70 137.60 80.85 Family (max members) 13.00 117.00 221.00 130.00 820.00 Family (max 5 members) Family (max 55members) 13.00 117.00 221.00 130.00 820.00 12.70 112.60 212.70 137.60 804.85 planned for slot. this 1 month pass/ Annual /$575.00 10x $65.70 PE Classes, slot.time for thistime time for this Groups. slot.

6:30-8

6:30 - 8

6:30 - 8

For rental times and fees, call the Pool at 250-537-1402

Please contact 250-537-1402 for MORE information and Please contact atat 250-537-1402 for MORE information to to register.

Please contact usus atus 250-537-1402 for MORE information & to register.and 262 Rainbow Road • www.recreationexcellence.com Please contact us at 250-537-1402 for MORE information and to register. register.

262 Rainbow Road www.recreationexcellence.com 262 Rainbow Road www.recreationexcellence.com ANNUAL SHUTDOWN FOR MAINTENANCE APRIL 1- 22,SWIM 2017MEETS REOPENS SUNDAY APRILTHAT 23, 2017 JULY 8-10 \ POOL CLOSED SUNDAY. 262 Rainbow Road www.recreationexcellence.com 2

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YOUNG AT HEART

MARCH 15, 2017

THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

contents 4

BETTER AT HOME

From the archives of Driftwood cartoonist Dennis Parker.

13 shoolbraids at home

An update on a fantastic program administered by Community Services.

6

FEW OPTIONS

16 physio first

Canadian seniors face multiple transportation challenges.

8

FRIENDLY WHEELS

17 protect yourself

Salt Spring Seniors Services Society salutes driving program volunteers.

10 SCOOTIN’ AROUND

Scooter mobility project improves safety and awareness.

THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

Kristin and Murray are islanders through and through.

Provincial group promotes physiotherapy to reduce orthopaedic surgery wait times.

Vancouver Island Better Business Bureau describes top-10 scams for 2017 and advice on how to avoid them.

21 A FRIEND TO EVERYONE

Dawn Hage’s tribute to Richard Moses, who passed away in February of 2017.

MARCH 15, 2017

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Salt Spring Better at Home Three years running and going strong

T

hree years ago, in 2014, Salt Spring Island Community Services (SSICS) was contracted to build a Better at Home program for Salt Spring Island.

Over the course of the first year, the Better at Home basket of services was rolled out to serve Salt Spring Island seniors.

Light house-keeping, yard work, simple home repair and grocery shopping are provided at locally competitive rates that are subsidized based on income.

The provincial government initiative, managed by the United Way Lower Mainland, serves 67 communities province-wide. It is designed to offer practical support to

seniors who wish to live in their homes but need extra help as energy levels and other challenges make it more difficult to maintain safety and comfort.

“Over and over I hear what a difference regular housekeeping, yard work, grocery shopping is making for the seniors we serve. It seems a simple thing but it can be transformative,” states Shellyse Szakacs, SSICS Seniors’ Wellness Program coordinator.

The Salt Spring Better at Home program also offers a free, friendly visiting program wherein trained volunteers visit seniors in their homes, out for tea or for a drive. And the very popular van excursion program is a fun add-on to existing transportation services on Salt Spring.

Salt Spring Better at Home has enrolled 284 seniors over the last two and a half years, and has provided 9,974 unique services to Salt Spring Island seniors in that same time period. Put in the context of the provincial update recently released by United Way of the Lower Mainland, this means that SSICS Better at Home is enrolling seniors at the average rate of other communities and providing more than twice the average number of services of other communities.

“I attribute our high numbers to our strong volunteer base and our robust friendly-visiting program,” Szakacs explains.

“The Seniors’ Wellness Program of Salt Spring Community Services has had a longstanding senior peer counselling program, which we have augmented by training 12 more senior peer counsellors — a great fit for seniors who want emotional support.” ➤

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| www.saltspringeyecare.com THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

Better At Home

April 1, 2016-September 30, 2016

Provincial

Regional (VI)

Locally (SSI)

3,280 8,943 65%

650 1,949 66%

56 224 51%

Age

65-74 26% 26% 75-84 36% 34% 85 + 27% 29%

30% 34% 28%

Newly enrolled Total # of seniors served Percentage living alone

driftwood file photo

Seniors’ Wellness building on Hereford Avenue.

Peer Counselling runs alongside the more socially focused friendly-visiting service. For folks who want to get out, SSICS Seniors Program provides “friendly driving” by volunteer drivers, and also partners with Salt Spring Literacy to offer “friendly reading,” which is a lovely way to share time with seniors.

The SSICS Seniors’ Wellness Program also offers health education and support groups. Currently running is the UVic Centre for Aging’s Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshop, and a Parkinsons support group. SSICS Seniors’ Wellness Program offices are located at 129 Hereford Ave. and are open to the public between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday to Friday. ■

Subsidy

Level 0% 18% 26% 30% 20-50% 13% 10% 16% 60-80% 35% 27% 19% 100% 32% 34% 34% Service Use

Light yard work 7% 6% Light housekeeping 46% 38% Minor home repairs 1% 1% Transportation 14% 17% Grocery shopping 7% 10% Friendly visiting 17% 16%

16% 24% 4% 11% 5% 39%

Congratulations Saanich Fair on your 149

Congratulations Saanich Fair on your 149th

Visual Identity Guide Visual Identity Guide Thankful for those who play a vital role in our community.

I feel privileged to be able to volunteer on the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation and the Salt Spring Hospice Society. Working with organizations that seek to improve the lives of islanders is terrifically rewarding, and I value the opportunity to learn from the elders in our community who so selflessly give of themselves for the benefit of others.

When I was born, my dad was farming on Wain For more information about correct usage, When I was born, my dad was farming on Wain For more information about correct usage, Road, Saanich. My older brothers and m or to request copies ofcopies theIBC Liberal logo or wordmarks, One thing have is that always Road,North North Saanich. My older brothers and my or to request of thelearned BC Liberal logo we or wordmarks, older sister had owncalves calves to raise older sister had their their own to raise and and my my please the party office. make contact time for what matters to us. please contact the party office.

From the Island; For the Island

oldest waseven even a blue ribbon oldestbrother brother Michael Michael was a blue ribbon winner Fair! winneratatthe the Saanich Saanich Fair!

Fairand andmy my family family gogoway TheThe Fair wayback... back...

STEPHENPPP STEPHEN STEPHEN

ROBERTS ROBERTS ROBERTS

SAANICHNORTH NORTHAND ANDTHE THEISLANDS ISLANDS SAANICH

SAANICH NORTH AND THE ISLANDS info@stephenproberts.ca

@SRobertsBC THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

Authorized by David Goldsmith, Financial Agent for the BC Liberal Par

Authorized by David Goldsmith, Financial Agent for the BC Liberal Authorized

by David Goldsmith, Financial Agent for Party | 604-605-6001 MARCH 15, 2017

YOUNG AT HEART

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the BC Libe

Canada ill-prepared to keep aging population moving More transportation alternatives are needed, says national body

C

anada has not adequately addressed the changing transportation needs of seniors, leaving many without a range of accessible, affordable and appropriate transportation options to support active and healthy living, according to a Conference Board of Canada report from the Canadian Alliance for Sustainable Health Care and the Centre for Transportation and Infrastructure released last fall.

“Canadian seniors need access to affordable and appropriate

transportation options to meet their travel needs and to support their health and quality of life,” said Daniel Munro, associate director, public policy and author of Managing Mobility: Transportation in an Aging Society. “Yet, a growing number of seniors face transportation challenges as fewer have the capacity or interest to drive, while alternate transportation options are inadequate in communities built primarily for cars.”

Stay active!!

at SALT

SPRING SENIORS CENTRE 379 Lower Ganges Road

The Conference Board of Canada (CBC) report found: • Seniors who cannot meet their transportation needs are at risk of declining health and quality of life.

• The primary mode of transportation for seniors remains driving, although the prevalence of driving declines with age.

• Those looking for transportation alternatives find that they are often scarce, inaccessible, inconvenient and, for some, unaffordable. ➤

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MARCH 15, 2017

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THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

Did You Know?

Across Canada, the primary mode of transportation for adults at most ages is driving. More than two-thirds of Canadians aged 65 to 74 drive as their main form of transportation, while one-third of those aged 85 or older rely on driving. By contrast, less than eight per cent of seniors cite public transportation, less than five per cent report walking or cycling, and very few identify taxis or accessible transit as their main form of transportation.

The CBC report noted that while most seniors who drive are safe to do so, many stop due to concerns about deteriorating mental or physical capacity. But finding alternatives to driving is difficult for many seniors, and makes it less likely that they will make necessary and discretionary trips, find their ways to appointments and participate in their communities.

Still Driving Of great concern is the number of seniors who continue to drive even as their physical and mental capacities deteriorate. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, for instance, reveal that 21 per cent of seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia drove in the previous month and 17 per cent reported driving as their main form of transport. ■ SOURCE: Conference Board of Canada

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DOWNTOWN 250-537-5534 104 LOWER GANGES RD. | OPEN MON.-SAT. 9-6 SUN. & HOLIDAY MON. 11-5 THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

MARCH 15, 2017

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Saintly Bunch Salt Spring Seniors Centre driving program volunteers

By JEAN ELDER

SS Seniors Services Society

PHOTO by gail sjuberg

Volunteer Fred Powell mans the Salt Spring Seniors Centre’s driving program office, matching seniors who need a ride with one of the program’s volunteer drivers.

A project of the Gulf Islands Seniors’ Residence Association

There is a group of men and women of saintly disposition on this island who drive those in need to medical appointments both on and off the island, and occasionally to other sorts of appointments on the island.

There is an office in the Salt Spring Seniors Centre manned between 10 a.m. and 12 noon most week days, which receives the requests for drivers. After the request is received and recorded, the driver’s desk person sets about trying to find a driver for that particular person on that particular day.

Most of our rides are to ophthalmologists in Duncan or Nanaimo and we have frequent rides into the Royal Jubilee Hospital, heart and cancer wings, or Saanich Peninsula Hospital. ➤

Young and youn Meadowbrook tu g at heart. rns 14 this year!

121 ATKINS ROAD 250 538 1995 8

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YOUNG AT HEART

MARCH 15, 2017

THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

The willingness of the drivers to accept the responsibility is truly remarkable. Recollect — it is not only the drive itself, it is the calculation to arrive at the ferry terminal with the passenger at the right time, the drive beyond the water, and sometimes a rather long wait. (Medical specialists seem to have no regard for difficulties with the ferry schedule.)

Then there is the wait in the office for the passenger and the return journey, which again may well involve a long wait for the ferry. And, in addition there is occasionally emotional trauma. The passenger may get really bad news at the clinic and there is no one about for emotional support except the driver, whom the patient may have known for as little as two or three hours. That people are willing to help in such a manner is truly remarkable.

There seems to be no end to the willingness of our drivers to put themselves out. One of them told me he was asked to use up an hour’s waiting time in Victoria with a search for roasted seaweed. And he obliged.

Having one car and two different people going to Nanaimo to the same doctor on the same day with appointments about 20 minutes apart, I put them in the same car. When I asked one of them afterwards how the

ride had gone, she said that it had been fine, that she had sat in the back and kept her mouth shut while the two men in front talked.

We had one person who had appointments at the Jubilee at 7:30 a.m. and it is a tribute to two of our faithful drivers that we were able to get him to each of his appointments on time.

Another time, one of the passengers told me he would pay me off with pot if I were only to drive up a rather rocky lane before taking him home. But I did not oblige!

We have about 20 or so active drivers on our list. We would be delighted to have some more to fill in when drivers themselves need drives. Occasionally they, too, for instance, need to have their own cataracts removed. Drivers also like to have a holiday now and again.

If we have an adequate number of drivers we try to restrict the number of drives to one in two or three weeks. We have some saintly drivers who will drive in times of need sometimes as much as twice a week. ■

There seems to be no end to the willingness of our drivers to put themselves out.

For more information about the Seniors Centre driving program, call the centre at 250-537-4604.

ACT NOW call for an appointment today!

In Ganges every Tuesday to help with your hearing care.

Experience Matters

Act Hearing is pleased to announce that Gwen Burton has joined our team to serve Salt Spring Island. With nearly 50 years in the Hearing Health Care field, we have the experience you can trust.

• 90 day trial on hearing devices • Comprehensive hearing assessements • VAC health identification cards accepted • Part of the WorkSafeBC provider network • Independently and locally owned

1-855-537-4228(4ACT) 241 Lower Ganges Road (Gulf Clinic) www.acthearing.ca

Leslie Peterson

Leslie Peterson, M.A., Aud (C), R.AuD, Registered Audiologist with 22 years experience

Gwen Burton

THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

Gwen Burton B.Ed., Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner with 27 years experience MARCH 15, 2017

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Road Trip Groups act to improve mobility scooter travels

Seniors and other islanders who use mobility scooters to move around Ganges village may find their travels a little easier thanks to a handy new information brochure.

Seniors Centre and most seniors’ residences. While it was produced with scooter travellers foremost in mind, the information stands to benefit all types of non-vehicular traffic because scooter users are classified as pedestrians and are required to use sidewalks whenever possible.

“A safer downtown for mobility scooters is also a safer downtown for everyone, especially those using walkers, canes, wheelchairs, pushing strollers and walking with little ones,” as Island Pathways’ representative to the group, Jean Gelwicks, points out. ➤

The Salt Spring Island Transportation Commission and Island Pathways have partnered to publish the new mobility scooter brochure, which is intended both for current scooter users and those who are thinking about getting a scooter for the first time. It includes maps of safe routes into and around the Ganges village core, as well as areas to be avoided, tips for being a courteous scooter driver, and even the elements to consider before purchasing a mobility scooter.

The brochure is available at the Salt Spring Public Library’s brochure rack, Salt Spring

BY ELIZABETH NOLAN

D RI F T W OO D S T A F F

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Gelwicks, transportation commission member Nigel Denyer and Philip Grange of Partners Creating Pathways have been working on the project for two years with local scooter users Phyllis Coleman, Frank Neumann, Marie Baumert and John Calam.

Coleman has been using a mobility scooter for about 15 years and has been instrumental in producing the maps of best routes and potential pitfalls.

“I zoom around quite confidently, and I think because I do that, I get to go to quite a lot of places other people [on scooters] may not have gone to,” Coleman said.

“Probably a lot of people who use scooters can be quite trepidatious.”

The shift from being able to rely on one’s own body to managing a machine can be even more intimidating when the route isn’t all that navigable. Poor access to safe routes away from vehicle traffic can therefore have an isolating effect, in addition to being dangerous.

“Some people who become disabled don’t want to go out anymore,” Coleman explained. “I think they get nervous, and they get scared that they won’t be seen the way they used to be.

“It’s quite a transition for some people, and if they’re getting hard of hearing and their vision might also be going that makes it more of a hazard.” ➤

PHOTOs courtesy island pathways

Phyllis Coleman on her wellflagged scooter.

Previous page: John Calam, who has also provided input to the local scooter project.

A Continuing Tradition Jim Pattison Subaru of Victoria is pleased to announce: Bob Gardner “the Aussie” will continue the tradition of bringing “Subaru” to you for your test drive experience on Salt Spring and Pender Islands.

Look for our future community events that Bob will be attending or contact Bob at: gardnerrobert@icloud.com OFFICE: 250-474-2211 CELL: 250-220-2132

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THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

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MARCH 15, 2017

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Coleman said the safety tips are therefore an important part of the brochure. She would like to see even more in the way of training for new users, perhaps in free workshops such as the Capital Regional District has offered on bicycling. On the other hand, with travel on the roadway sometimes necessary, mutual awareness between vehicle drivers and scooter users also needs to be worked on.

“It’s a learning curve for people on scooters and it’s a learning curve for drivers,” Coleman observed.

In addition to the brochure, the scooter mobility group has also produced a list of over 20 locations in Ganges where it is impossible for scooter users to go, but that could easily be fixed with a little time and money. A list of eight top priorities was accepted by the transportation commission last fall. Several items are now on the Capital Regional District’s short-term project list.

“It will be really nice if in a year’s time Island Pathways can put out a new version of the brochure showing improvements,” Denyer commented at the transportation commission’s February meeting.

The group is looking for new scooter-user members to join their committee to continue the work of advocating for a safer downtown and safe scooter use.

Anyone who might be interested in joining the group should contact Jean Gelwicks at 250-537-4859. ■

Traffic Rules for Scooter Users By law, a person using a mobility scooter is classified as a pedestrian. People operating scooters on the roadway must therefore obey pedestrian rules.

• Use sidewalks whenever possible. If there are no sidewalks or if sidewalks do not have scooter accessible curb cuts, travel on the far left side of the road, facing traffic.

• Cross at pedestrian crosswalks. Check for traffic before crossing.

• If there is no crosswalk available, look both ways and proceed only when all approaching vehicles have come to a full stop.

• Make eye contact with motorists, cyclists or pedestrians before crossing their path.

• Obey all traffic control signs and devices.

• Avoid travelling at night.

• Be visible! Make sure you wear brightly coloured clothing and that your scooter has reflective strips on the front, side and back, a light on the front and back, and a brightly coloured flag attached to the back seat.

WHY DO I HEAR BUT NOT UNDERSTAND? Did you know that 47% of adults age 60-79 have hearing loss?1

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YOUNG AT HEART

MARCH 15, 2017

THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

Kristin and Murray Shoolbraid

BY PAT BURKETTE

D r i f t wo o d Co n t r i b u to r

photo by pat burkette

A happy ‘wing-it’ life Murray and Kristin Shoolbraid.

A

s cultural creatives, Kristin and Murray Shoolbraid have built a Salt Spring life around freedom, community and economic survival, like many who came before them, and many who’ve come after.

“I would say we’re wing-its,” says Murray as we sit talking in the couple’s home off Rainbow Road.

No question, they’re fit to fly, this pair of talented people whose living room is a feast for the eyes. Kristin is a multi-media artist, and a variety of her colourful works adorn walls, tables and floor. There are whimsical, folk art paintings, papier mache pieces, including a vibrant peacock, and small rugs with interesting free-hand designs.

Murray is a musician, and both are writers.

Murray, who’s now 85, and Kristin, who’s 76, came

separately to Canada from Scotland, and eventually met in Vancouver.

Murray grew up in Fife, and in 1949, at the age of 18, doing his National Service, he was selected for clandestine duty as a coder specialist with the Royal Navy. The government taught him Russian and shifted him to a German naval base. The Cold War was on and his job was to listen and write down Russian transmissions over water, such as communication between Soviet ships in the Baltic, to be analyzed back in Britain. Job perks were modest.

“I was pleased to be drinking German beer,” he says.

Back home, he worked in a library in the west of Scotland.

But with a sister in Vancouver and a brother in Powell River, Murray moved to Canada. “I said, ‘Why not?’” ➤

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here,” says Kristin of their move He began working at the to Salt Spring in 1980.

Vancouver Public Library in “I grew up in a wide open area 1960. Kristin came to Vancouver of Scotland, and Murray in a in 1965, after landing a job as small community,” she explains. an occupational therapist with When Kristin showed Murray the Workers’ Compensation the house she’d found for them Board. The two met at a Folk on Beddis Road, she said, Song Society gathering. She sang “Listen, Murray, you can hear Foggy Dew. Her version was not the grass grow.” traditional, and Murray, who Murray said, “I can’t hear considered himself an expert anything.” on such things, let her know it.

Kristin Shoolbraid Fulford painting.

Their new rural lifestyle A discussion about the music presented challenges in the ensued. They’ve been discussing job department. Murray found things ever since. himself tutoring, teaching through Continuing Education and Both went on to further education. Murray got a library science degree, then took a masters in slavonic studies and later through the Phoenix alternative high school program. taught university classes. Kristin discovered Vancouver’s He was also looking after the kids and volunteering, asking Asian connection, and since she’d long been interested in all himself, “What can I do for the community?”

Kristin worked as a gardener, housekeeper and things Asian, earned an honours BA in Asian studies. commercial/house painter.

Murray opened a children’s bookstore called The Cat and the Fiddle, and Kristin worked as a daycare coordinator at “I have painted almost everything on this island three UBC. They moved through a couple of houses, including one times,” she says. “The bridge club kept me fully employed as a painter for years.” they shared with 10 other people who contributed $1 a day Self-employment, and the independence it can bring, is a to the Shoolbraid mortgage. source of pride for the Shoolbraids.

But they decided they wanted to bring up their two young “We have never relied on other people to pay our way,” sons, Roderick and Malcolm, away from city living. says Kristin. ➤ “Freedom, plain and simple, is the reason for coming

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Freedom from a 9 to 5 grind allowed them to nurture their art.

Kristin has been an artist since childhood. She paints with acrylics and watercolours, and says that as far as subjects go, she is “attracted by everything.” She portrays that “everything” with her own unique vision and versatility.

For instance, some complex paintings that appear almost otherworldly are indeed her vision of crystals, “upward rising.” Her landscapes are conceptual representations of earth, sea and islands, rather than reproductions of scenes.

“Nature does that well,” she says. “I don’t need to peg it.”

Her paintings of flowers invite you inside the flower’s world. You can feel its existence, not just see it. A current work is a stunning painting of a poppy, with a textured three-dimensional centre.

“The painting,” she says, “asks me to paint it.” A show of her paintings is at TJ Beans until March 31.

When we all go downstairs to sit by the woodstove, there’s more art, including a magical papier mache dragon sculpture, Rosie, which began as a paper box.

There are stacked plastic tubs filled with colourful balls of wool too, contributors to Kristin’s former knit hat business, for which of course she created her own patterns.

But the piano and its sheet music show that, down here, we’re also in Murray’s artistic realm.

He comes from a musical/dance family and is a selftaught musician. He is also a songwriter. He jumps up to give me a demonstration at the piano, playing Bonny Kirsty, a rousing melody written for his wife. He likes to write songs for individuals, and has composed and published a book of Scottish dance music. Later in the afternoon, he’ll be off to play piano at Heritage Place.

Both Shoolbraids are writers too. Kristin has written what she calls a “quadrilogy” of speculative future fiction set in the time period 2034 to 2100 and titled Four Books to Change the Earth.

“You have to go blasting through the dark to come into the light” is how she describes the theme.

Murray says, “I’ve written a couple of books, including a mystery about murder in a library.” He also edited The High-Kilted Muse: Peter Buchan and his Secret Songs of Silence, published by University Press of Mississippi.

The book is a long suppressed anthology of bawdy songs and ballads collected by Scottish ballad collector Peter Buchan, transcribed with annotations and information.

Murray is compiling an alphabetical anthology of children’s rhymes of Scots origin.

“I’m happiest being a librarian even yet,” he says.

No matter what interest they pursue, the couple tries to keep it real.

Of their life on Salt Spring, Kristin says, “I’m very glad I had the time and space to do what I wanted to do. I have enjoyed being real in my life.” ■

Whether you are a senior, a new mama, or have just gone through a big life transition (recent surgery or loss of a companion), preparing nutritious meals can be a challenge.

See our popular

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Physio Ready to Help

Reducing orthopaedic surgery wait times

W

ait times for orthopaedic surgery in B.C. are currently among the longest in Canada. The Physiotherapy Association of B.C. (PABC) released a new position paper last month highlighting how these wait times can be significantly reduced by using physiotherapists to provide pre-surgery triage.

“B.C. stands ninth out of the country’s 10 provinces in length of wait times for hip- and knee-replacement surgery,” said Christine Bradstock, the PABC’s chief executive officer in a press release issued in February. “Moreover, wait times in our province are growing longer each year, so there is some urgency to finding an effective and affordable solution.”

Bradstock’s comments come alongside the release of the first in a series of position papers to be published by the PABC in advance of the May 9 provincial general election.

Entitled Physio Can Help: Physiotherapy Can Reduce

Orthopaedic Surgery Wait Times, the PABC paper offers statistical analysis of wait times for joint-replacement surgery in B.C. and Canada, and concludes with a review of academic studies that report physiotherapists can significantly reduce wait times through pre-surgery patient screening.

At present, patients with hip and joint challenges are referred by a general practitioner physician for assessment to an orthopaedic surgeon. Academic research has shown that between one-third and three-quarters of these referrals do not actually need surgery. As a result, in the current model, a significant portion of the orthopaedic surgeon’s time is spent assessing patients who do not require surgery at all.

Physiotherapists can alleviate pressures on the health care system by providing efficient and cost-effective pre-surgery triage, screening and assessing patients who are on wait lists for hip- or knee-replacement surgery. They are well-qualified to identify which patients need surgery, and which patients will benefit from non-surgical medical care.

“Freeing up valuable time of orthopaedic surgeons by using physiotherapists to assess patients and identify surgical and non-surgical candidates will give these surgeons the ability to focus on providing hip- or knee-replacement surgery to those who really do need it – with the ultimate result being shorter wait times,” said Bradstock. “There are very strong arguments for the province to implement physiotherapy triage as an effective and affordable solution to B.C.’s long orthopaedic surgery wait times.” ■

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With home prices recovering and interest rates still low, now is a good time to list.

Low interest rates are your friend…and buyers know that rock-bottom mortgages can’t last forever! Houses tend to sell faster in spring and summer largely in part due to families wanting to be settled before the new school year begins.

Don’t change a thing -

Before making any changes, renovating or even painting, give me a call. I can help you assess what needs to be done to have your home market ready quickly.

Don’t just list your home—market it.

We will need to develop your marketing plan. People are doing so much more research ahead of time. Today’s buyers are demanding. They are savvier about market dynamics and data and want to see houses on their own schedule.

Don’t “test” the market -

Price it right! Pricing is very important these days. Pricing right will create the traffic needed, also in the first week a listing goes on the market, it gets approximately four times as many visits as a month later.

One dilemma sellers may face is whether to buy a new place at the same time. Buy a new place with the contingency of selling can be difficult and stressful. In general I would say it’s better to sell before you buy—there’s nothing worse than having to carry two mortgages at once when it is not affordable. There are plenty of options when selling including the possibility you may be able to rent your house from the buyer for a few months or finding a short-term rental.

Call Paul

for a free home evaluation.

Paul Zolob BROKER/REALTOR®

Duncan Realty

Salt Spring Office

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

342 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

Bewar

y ar w e b d n ea 017

for in 2 h c t a w o t gs s and thin

raud

ms, f a c s 0 1 p o T

The following list from the Vancouver Island Better Business Bureau includes the most reported scams and suspicious activities of 2016, as well as consumer tips on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud in 2017.

1) Hoax News Fraudulent or hoax news is becoming a chronic problem on social media and the Internet. In some instances “fake” news is being intentionally created and published to mislead the masses for political purposes or financial gain. In other instances, fake news headlines are used to lure victims to click on links and download malware and viruses onto their computers and mobile devices.

Consumer tip: Don’t believe everything

you read. Anyone can publish anything on the Internet. Social media allows both real and fake news to easily go viral. Consider the original source of all “news” content and be suspicious of unknown or pop-up news providers.

Just because a news story has thousands or millions of views, does not make it legitimate. Use extreme caution when clicking on hyperlinks to news provided to you via email or social media and be sure to regularly update your virus software.

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Most fake loan companies require applicants to pay fees in advance of securing the loan to cover items such as interest payments, legal fees or insurance fees. Once the “fees” are paid, the lender disappears, no loan is provided and victims end up in greater debt. ➤

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Consumer tip: Before applying for a loan in person or online carefully research the company first. Make sure the business is a legitimate, reputable lender. Look up the company’s BBB Business Profile (bbb.org). Legitimate financial lenders will not require you to pay a fee for paperwork, administration fees, legal fees or insurance prior to getting a loan.

3) Bogus Customs & Delivery Charges Do not to fall victim to unsolicited claims from fake delivery service providers stating that you owe customs and delivery charges for undelivered packages. Notifications may come via mail, email or phone for unanticipated deliveries. Such notifications are typically an attempt to canvas neighborhoods for absent homeowners and/or to extort bogus delivery and customs fees from unsuspecting victims.

Consumer tip: Keep track of any expected packages or delivery services you commonly use (including the

estimated delivery dates and delivery service provider companies being used). Ask friends, family members or other businesses that are sending you packages to notify you in advance that a package will be sent and which service provider they are using.

app. Go to the website of the retailer to get a link to the legitimate app in the App Store. If you do decide to use an app, give as little information as possible. Be very reluctant to link your credit card to any app. If you link it and that app is compromised, fraudsters could steal all your account information.

5) Auto Subscriptions Many consumers taking advantage of online deals or trial offers for health and beauty products, vitamins, home care necessities, vacations and other items found themselves unknowingly signing up for expensive, seemingly endless, automatic monthly subscriptions for unwanted products. Beware of difficult-to-find, non-existent, or complicated-tounderstand fine print embedded in the terms and conditions or purchase contracts. Too-good-too be true offers often unexpectedly result in expensive subscriptions, cancellation fees and return shipping costs.

Consumer tip: Always read the fine ➤

Keep Growing Keep Growi Keep Growing 4) Fake Apps Use caution when purchasing retail store or online shopping apps.

Counterfeit apps are designed to look and feel like they belong to legitimate retail stores. Some fake apps will inundate you with pop-up junk ads, while others will result in credit card and personal information being stolen, or malware being installed on your mobile device. In some instances, mobile devices have even been locked down and held hostage until a ransom is paid to the scam artist.

Consumer tip: Be very cautious when deciding what apps to download. Read customer reviews associated with the app very carefully. Never click on a link in any email to download a new

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THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

print before making any online purchases. Most online discounts and free trial offers come at some cost and are intended to lure consumers into becoming regular purchasers of a product or service. Unethical businesses and scam artists rely on victims to not have asked, looked for, or done their research before making such purchases. Do not provide your credit card or banking information to any company unless you are sure you understand the return and cancellation policies for a product or service.

6) Phishing Imposters No one is immune! Many computer virus and phishing scams masquerade as the emails or websites of legitimate businesses and organizations.

Using the logo and good name of reputable charities, non-profits, banks, government agencies and businesses, scam artists send out a variety of legitimate looking, but fake links designed for you to click on so that they can install malware on your computer or steal your private

information (such as passwords and account information).

Consumer tip: Never open an email, click on any links in social media accounts, or download any files unless you are certain you know for certain who it is from, what it is about and if it is legitimate. If at any time you think you might have become the victim of a phishing or other computer, email or Internet scam, be sure to have your computer scanned by a trusted computer repair professional to see if any malware is present.

7) Lottery & Prize Winner Scams Lottery and prize winning scams come in many shapes and forms.

Don’t fall for fantastic offerings of foreign lottery winnings, dream vacations, exciting prizes of money, a new car, a shopping spree or new technology, especially if you don’t recall entering to win such offerings.

Consumer tip: It is illegal to win money in a lottery from a country to which you are not a citizen, and typically a resident. Legitimate lotteries and

prize giveaways do not require you to pay fees or taxes in advance to claim your winnings. Keep track of all contest, lottery and prize entry forms that you fill out. Make sure you know what items you may be eligible to win, when the award will be announced and where it is coming from. Never wire transfer money to claim a prize.

Use caution when phoning to claim a prize. Know that some long-distance phone numbers charge a premium rate and can be very expensive to call.

Don’t give out credit card or private personal information to claim a prize.

8) 3rd Party Application Services Use caution when hiring third parties to assist with filling out and submitting applications for government services, grants and loans. A variety of different organizations and businesses offer “pay-for” services to assist people with filling out applications for disability grants, passport applications, loans and debt consolidation, as well as other government services. While ➤

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YOUNG AT HEART

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many of these organizations and business are legitimate service providers, there are also many scam artists claiming to provide similar services and targeting unsuspecting victims.

Consumer tip: Legitimate “for-afee” application completion service providers typically charge money to assist customers in ensuring that their applications are filled out in full and submitted properly, in a timely fashion. Such services are usually intended to make the application process run smoothly for those with language barriers, disabilities, or a general lack of time.

9) Tech Support Scams Consumers are aggressively being targeted (by phone, email and online pop ups) by fraudsters pretending to represent Microsoft, Apple or other Tech Support companies. Victims are contact and informed that their computer has been infected with a virus. In order to “fix” the problem, the victim is directed to a website, asked to provide their credit card

information as payment, and told to download an anti-virus program.

Consumer tip: Computer manufacturers will not contact you to let you know if there is a problem with your computer. Computer upgrades, maintenance and virus scanning are the responsibility of the computer owner. Treat all unsolicited contact via phone, email or pop-ups with skepticism. Never give out personal or banking information to anyone unless you are confident you can trust the source. Be sure to independently install anti-virus software and update it regularly.

10) Foreign Money Transfers New twists on the Nigerian letter scam continue to dupe unsuspecting victims. Beware emotionally charged letters, emails and social media posts from people in foreign countries asking for financial assistance, discovering inheritance money, offering investment opportunities or suggesting the need to transfer money for any reasons. In most instance when an unknown party requests a

wire or money transfer to a stranger in foreign country, the story is a lie and your money will be stolen.

Consumer tip: Never wire or transfer money or share private credit card and banking information with strangers unless you are comfortable losing your money or having your information stolen. Money transfers are virtually untraceable once sent and received. Beware complex cheque cashing and money transfer schemes, in which a cheque is given to you or money is deposited into your account, and you are then to write a cheque or send money to someone else.

Overpayment schemes and identity theft are common outcomes from foreign money transfer scams. ■ For more consumer and business tips you can trust, visit bbb.org/ Vancouverisland.

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Overflowing culture, kindness and sundaes A tribute to Richard Moses

By DAWN HAGE

D RI F T W OO D CONTRIBUTOR

DRIFTWOOD FILE photo by DERRICK LUNDY

I

Richard Moses plays French horn in a Salt Spring Concert Band Canada Day concert in 2007.

THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

struggled to begin this tribute to my special friend and beloved community member Richard Moses. I was overwhelmed by the complexity of writing a piece that could encapsulate everything that he was, both to me personally and to so many Salt Springers.

He was a volunteer extraordinaire, talented musician, radio host, librarian, writer, lyricist, actor, board member, partner, curmudgeon (his word), columnist, humourist, mentor, father, grandfather and friend.

Richard arrived on Salt Spring in 1996 and took very little time to introduce himself and his talents to the community. We connected through music as he brought his marvellous horn playing to the Salt Spring Concert Band. Richard was principal horn for 18 seasons, often the only horn, no easy feat, but there were also wonderful years where he led a mighty section of eager high school students. He was a mentor to them all, supporting a cohort that laughed and played together, and grew musically and in confidence.

Gordon Havelaar was one of those high school students, playing horn with Richard in the concert band from 2003-2007.

“Richard openly shared his love of music, his humour and popcorn,” remembers Gordon. ➤

MARCH 15, 2017

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“His kindness and joy was infectious and I feel very lucky to have played with him.”

Richard sat on the SSCB board for many years and also acted as my long-suffering band librarian, an often thankless job that included hounding people for missing music and filling dozens of folders with stamped and organized parts. He also volunteered as librarian, musician, board member and program writer for the Bach on the Rock Music Society, another community organization of musicians who are deeply grieving his loss.

“He never failed to elicit a chuckle and was very involved with the cultural life of our little island,” states a tribute to Richard on the BOTR website. “Literature, music, and especially humour, were his life’s blood which he freely shared with any who cared to listen and learn.”

As years wore on, Richard tried to retire from the SSCB but his playing was superb and I always managed to talk him into staying just one more year. His birthday fell on July 1, and we joked that all of Canada came out to celebrate his day, including SSCB members, who perform annually at the Canada Day celebration. On his 80th birthday, we reluctantly agreed that perhaps it was time to retire and the occasion was celebrated in a magnificent way in Centennial Park as Richard, his son Dan and his two grandsons, Jacob and Benjamin, filled out the horn section while daughter Jennifer, partner Janellen and the whole community cheered.

Music was a big part of Richard’s life, but an equal or perhaps greater passion was radio. He was an instrumental force in getting Salt Spring’s CFSI-FM off the ground and running, volunteering countless hours and hosting a wonderful classical music program five days a week. Along the way, a deep and enduring friendship was formed with Radha Fournier, president of the Gulf Islands Community Radio Society and past manager of CFSI. Fournier relied on Richard’s extensive experience in the industry when she joined the station in 2009 and he mentored her through her early years, both on and off the mic. Their friendship deepened in later years when they worked as a team trying to keep the station afloat.

“He was with me when I did my presentation at the CRTC hearings in Victoria,” said Fournier. Despite the sadness around the loss of the station, she still has wonderful memories of the trip and Richard’s unwavering support throughout the ordeal.

Fournier treasures an image of Richard at work in the studio, headphones on and his beloved classical music streaming out to his devoted listeners. Lost in a personal reverie, he is silently conducting.

“He loved his music so much,” said Fournier. “The image of him alone in the studio conducting is an unforgettable memory for me.”

With a lifetime of experience as a professional librarian, book lover and writer, Richard was an invaluable volunteer at the Salt Spring Public Library. He spent many years cataloguing books and supporting volunteers who treasured the experience of working with him.

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YOUNG AT HEART

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With a passion for all things theatrical, Richard eagerly joined the group of volunteers working to get ArtSpring up and running. A driving force behind the project, he proudly celebrated its official opening in April 1999. He spent years on the board of directors and was a regular front of house manager and volunteer, helping the fledgling theatre grow into the busy, eclectic community centre that it is today.

Perhaps due to his extensive radio experience, Richard particularly enjoyed spoken dramatic productions with the Readers Theatre group and then WordPlay, which he created with Ann Stewart. WordPlay was a performing ensemble, staging 15 plays in its five-year run. I will never forget Richard’s spellbinding performance of Willy Loman in Death of A Salesman.

Ann Stewart remembers Richard as a well-balanced, fun and amazingly sensible person to work with.

“He was able to step in and modify any issues that came up and was immensely patient,” she recalled. “And he had the most marvellous voice.”

In addition to his formal volunteerism, Richard found time for small kindnesses such as reading to a friend with failing eyesight, visiting an ailing islander and just generally finding space for the many people in his life.

A tribute to Richard must include a tip of the hat to his wonderful sense of humour and personal quirks. Fournier recalls how Richard would strenuously refuse to attend parties, yet when she finally convinced him to come to the last radio party at her house, he was the first one there, and the last one to leave.

“This was one of the things that I really loved about him,” she laughed, fondly. “He would grouse and complain and then we would end up having so much fun.”

I found that we could lure him to the SSCB Canada Day party if we promised chicken wings would be served.

Anecdotes about his diet are legendary —popcorn, Pepsi, brownies and nary a green vegetable to soil the platter.

I recall a funny story he once told about ordering dessert in one of his favourite restaurants, Swiss Chalet.

“I would always order a chocolate sundae for dessert,” he recalled. “When the waitress asked what size, I would say small — but make it big!”

The sundae would always come back overflowing. I laughed and have never forgotten this great tip. Like the sundae, Richard was humble about his own gifts and deeds but the impact he made on friends, family and community was extra large, prodigious and overflowing.

He will be sorely missed. ■

Celebration of Life for Richard Moses Sunday, March 19, 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.

ArtSpring gallery Woodwind and brass music, slide show, food and drink, spoken memories by family and friends.

All welcome THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

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342 Lower Ganges Road | Salt Spring Island 250-537-8371

THE GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD

MARCH 15, 2017

YOUNG AT HEART

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