10 GRAND
Ways to Be a Fabulous Grandparent
Vol. IV, Ed. I
grandmag.ca
Rock the Podcast
How to create —and launch— an engaging and entertaining podcast
Running Your First 10k Close to Home Comox Valley
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4 GRAND
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Having Fun & Staying Silly “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw
CONTENTS
5 Having Fun & Staying Silly 6 7 Grand: Ideas + Inspiration 8 Rock the Podcast:
K
From Creation to Launch
12 A Grandmother’s Guide to Bonding with Grandsons
14 Running Your First 10k 18 Dinner & Dessert
20 Close to Home: Comox Valley 22 Developing Digital Literacy 24 10 Ways to Be a
Fabulous Grandparent
28 The Gift of Giving
ON THE COVER
grandmag.ca
and there’s an article to help get you out and about while still staying close to home. Have fun, and remember: you’re as young as you feel! GR AND is as diverse and engaged as you are. Together, we’re a powerful and positive force—in our grandchildren’s lives and in our communities.
Jim Schneider Publisher publisher@islandparent.ca
GRAND 10
Ways to Be a Fabulous Grandparent
Vol. IV, Ed. I
grandmag.ca
Sue Fast Editor editor@islandparent.ca Kristine Wickheim Account Manager kristine@islandparent.ca RaeLeigh Buchanan Account Manager raeleigh@islandparent.ca
Mike Priestly & William (4) Photo by Chelsea Warren Photography, chelseawarren photography.com
eep playing. What better advice is there as we get older than to stay joyful, be silly, have fun and keep playing? And who benefits more from that advice, if you’re a grandparent, than your grandchildren? Sure it’s wise to get a good night’s sleep, eat more leafy greens and walk at least 10,000 steps every day, but how much fun is that compared to, say, riding a rollercoaster, starting a water fight, or playing a practical joke. “The most important advice we offer people about longevity is, ‘Throw away your lists,’” says Howard Friedman, professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and co-author of The Longevity Project. “We live in a self-help society full of lists: ‘lose weight, hit the gym.’ So why aren’t we all healthy? People who live a long time can work hard and play hard.” To help you put more fun into your role supporting your family, and to emphasize play, this issue of Grand features articles on topics ranging from 10 ways to be a fabulous grandparent, cooking with your grandkids, and creating and launching a podcast,
to running your first 10k, the gift of giving, and developing digital literacy. There’s 7 Grand, a compilation of ideas and inspiration to help keep you in-the-know and connected to community, there’s a grandmother’s guide to bonding with grandsons,
Rock the Podcast
How to create —and launch— an engaging and entertaining podcast
Running Your First 10k Close to Home Comox Valley
GRAND, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a quarterly publication that honours and supports grandparents by providing information on resources and businesses for families and a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. GRAND is distributed digitally and also a free special edition throughout Vancouver Island. ISSN 0838-5505.
250-388-6905 grandmag.ca 518 Caselton Place, Victoria BC V8Z 7Y5 A proud member of
BC Vol. IV, Ed. I 5
Ideas + Inspiration
7Grand
6 GRAND
A Culinary Adventure
New Field Guide
What the F*ck Is My Password?
Before catching Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, families can take a culinary adventure to Raya’s homeland Kumandra—a magical land inspired by Southeast Asia—with kids leading the recipe creation. Disney has collaborated with Raddish Kids to help families create their own “Dinner & a Movie” night with a free printable digital Raddish cooking kit created in celebration of the film that includes three recipes: Shrimp Noodles, Pork Lettuce Cups and Mango Sticky Rice, inspired by the cuisine of Southeast Asia. Kids can take charge in the kitchen—with help from their grandparents—with the easyto-follow recipe guides, and a step-by-step cook-along video with an appearance from a Disney chef. The free, flavour-filled kit created in celebration of Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon can be found at raddishkids. com/pages/disneyraya.
Saanich Parks released a new field guide to inspire a passion for nature discoveries in parks close to home. This illustrated field guide highlights some of the plants and animals found in Saanich parks and the different types of ecosystems where they live. It is a visual learning tool aimed at youth, but the intent is to encourage learning and enjoyment for all park visitors. Illustrated by local artist Kristi Bridgman, the field guide captures the spirit and beauty of the unique nature that exists around us. Saanich Parks will develop resources for families and educators to use with the field guide so they can broaden their learning while experiencing these lovely places. The field guide is available at saanich.ca.
How often have you uttered a variation of those words? What the flip is my password? Here’s a simple no frills journal to keep track of important information for online accounts and websites. Keep track of your sh*t at last. Forgotten your internet password again? This logbook has enough space to store the website name, username, password, and notes for 1,000 of your internet passwords. And here’s a bonus: according to Amazon “The print is quite large so is suitable for seniors and people with bad eye sight.”
grandmag.ca
Tools to Connect Online
Grandma/ Grandpa & Me
Grandparents’ Class at Mothering Touch
A is for Anemone
These apps offer some other worthwhile activities for grandparents and grandkids: Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com. Ancestry websites are a great way for grandparents and older grandchildren to explore their family’s history together. Keepy. Share artwork, school projects and photos grandparents love to put on their fridge but might not have room for. Hoot. Draw, play, or read together in real time. Redeo. Read together while your young grandchild turns the pages. ooVoo and Voxer. These apps allow you to send photos and videos or to talk and text— all in real time. Wheel of Fortune. This app version of the popular TV show allows grandparents and grandchildren to spin the wheel together, no matter the distance. From aplaceformom.com
Pinhole Press’s Grandma & Me and Grandpa & Me Board Book is perfectly sized for little hands, with thick, rigid pages and a glossy finish. Use the starting template or any available templates to personalize the perfect keepsake. Each book can hold 20–40 pages featuring 11–21 photos. A Grandma & Me or a Grandpa & Me Board Book is a great way to foster relationships with long-distance Grandmas and Grandpas, and to celebrate Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, or the holidays. pinholepress.com
This class teaches the latest on newborn care, and now includes infant first aid. Learn up-to-date information on breastfeeding, safe sleeping practices, car-seat regulations, and how to play with baby. Grandparents will also have a chance to explore new ideas about parenting and how they can support their adult children in their new role as parents. For information and class times, visit motheringtouch.ca.
With crisp, luminous illustrations by celebrated Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers and a simple rythmic text, this sturdy board book introduces the alphabet using iconic imagery of the West Coast, creating a book that will be cherished by young readers and their families. Starting with colourful sea anemones waving in the ocean current and closing with a snoozing grizzly bear (Zzz), this board book supports both early literacy and children’s awareness of the natural world. Release date: June 19, 2021. By Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd. harbourpublishing.com
grandmag.ca
Vol. IV, Ed. I 7
Media & Technology
Rock the Podcast How to create—and launch—an engaging and entertaining podcast
L
ike other grandmothers everywhere, I grieved not being able to be with my grandchildren over this last holiday season. I needed a project to distract me, so I took the plunge into podcasting—with not one podcast, but two. I figured if I was going to take on such a daunting project, I might as well make it worthwhile. And it has been worthwhile, providing me with a limitless outlet for my creativity. I am my own producer and publisher, and my stories and ideas can now travel the world. If you’re interested in podcasting yourself, be warned: the learning curve is steep. But don’t be overwhelmed; if you take it one step at a time and access the right resources, it is doable. And it gets significantly easier with practice.
1. Choose a theme.
Rachel Dunstan Muller is a children’s author, storyteller, podcaster, and grandmother. You can find her two podcasts Hintertales: Stories from the Margins of History and Sticks and Stones and Stories through her website at racheldunstanmuller.com, or wherever you normally get your podcasts. 8 GRAND
What will your podcast be about? Who is your target audience? My first podcast, Hintertales: Stories from the Margins of History, tells true stories of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events, and is aimed at adults who love good storytelling. Sticks and Stones and Stories is more personal, consisting of fun, original tales told initially to my three young grandchildren. Your podcast might be about cooking, or poetry, or the interesting places you’ve travelled. If you aren’t already listening to podcasts in your chosen genre, start listening now for ideas and inspiration.
2. Give it a name.
A good title should capture the theme of your podcast, be simple to remember, and be easily searchable.
The word Hintertales was my own invention and is therefore easy to find via Google. In contrast, the combination of words in my children’s title proved to be too generic for good search results.
3. Create podcast artwork.
You will need a square image to accompany your podcast when it’s uploaded to sites like Apple Podcasts. I used the tools at Canva.com to create my own artwork, but if that feels daunting, you can hire someone affordably at Fiverr.com or 99Designs. com. The finished image should be 3000 x 3000 pixels, 72 dpi, and saved as a PNG.
4. Decide on a format.
My episodes are scripted stories (non-fiction and fiction respectively), grandmag.ca
Perfect Podcasts
from local to far-flung
but you may choose to go with an interview format or solo commentary. As your own producer, you also get to choose the length of your podcasts, and how frequently you upload new episodes. Having a consistent publishing schedule is ideal, whether it’s daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly.
5. Choose a microphone.
You could start by recording with your smartphone, but for the best audio quality you’ll want to invest in a microphone that plugs directly into your laptop or recording device. Search online for reviews of the most popular podcast mics. This will likely be your biggest initial investment, with a good mic costing between $60 and $180.
grandmag.ca
6. Download editing software.
Hintertales: Stories from the Margins of History. Author and storyteller Rachel Dunstan Muller combs the dusty corners of history in pursuit of some of the world’s most fascinating true stories. Check back every second Friday for stories of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. hintertales.buzzsprout.com
This is a must for podcasters. GarageBand is free for Mac users, while Audacity is free for Mac, PC and Linux users. Learning to use this software was my biggest hurdle, but I found helpful tutorials on YouTube and other sites. I highly recommend the indepth video tutorials on Lynda.com, which are accessible for free for both VIRL and GVLP library users.
7. Record your first episode.
Prepare either a bulleted outline or a full script, practice until the material flows easily, then choose a quiet place to record. A basement storage room has been an ideal space for me, but for you it may be a walk-in closet, or even your car parked somewhere quiet. It should have few reflective
Sticks and Stones and Stories. Add a little wonder to bed time, car time, or anytime with these fun original stories. Sticks and Stones and Stories features engaging tales written and narrated by children’s author Rachel Dunstan Muller. sticksandstonesandstories.buzzsprout.com
Vol. IV, Ed. I 9
surfaces (bare walls or floors), and/ or lots of soft materials like furnishings, carpets, or clothes to absorb and diffuse sound. Temporarily turn off any background noise like heaters or humming appliances. Use headphones to hear yourself clearly as you record, and experiment with different distances from your microphone to find the “sweet spot”—often about 2 to 4 inches from the mic. I invested in a microphone pop filter (about $18) to take some of the “hiss” out of my s’s. Don’t worry about mistakes or interruptions as you’re recording, since you’ll be editing those out in the next step. Just pause for a few seconds, then repeat the botched sentence and carry on.
8. Edit and optimize your episode.
This is by far the most technical step of podcasting, but if you follow
10 GRAND
the step-by-step tutorials mentioned in Step 7 you’ll find your way—including mixing in music or sound effects if you choose. Most podcasts include an intro, the body of the episode, and an outro. Refer to other podcasts for examples. For royalty-free theme music, look to Audio Jungle or other similar websites. Be sure the music is available for commercial use, and credit the artist as required. Once your episode is edited, upload it to Auphonic. com for optimization. (Free for the first 2 hours of processed material per month.)
9. Upload your episode to a podcast host. To “publish” your podcast, you’ll need an RSS feed or podcast host like Buzzsprout, Podbean or Libsyn—all user-friendly and affordable (from free versions, to $15 US a month). Once you’ve uploaded your first epi-
sode, a show description, and your podcast artwork, you’ll use your account to submit your podcast to the most popular podcast apps. At a minimum you’ll want to link to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. It may take from a day to a few weeks for your podcast to be approved and go live on individual apps.
10. Let the world know!
Once your new creation is out there, it’s time to spread the word. Use email, social media, or even press releases to let your prospective audience know your first podcast is live. Tap into all your connections, especially those with an interest in your podcast subject. It’s a lot of work, but it does get easier with each episode. And if nothing else, it gives you bragging rights—this grandparent is a podcaster!
grandmag.ca
This podcast entertains, educates, and enlightens grandparents who want to become the best they can be. Author Emily Morgan hosts an exploration of grandparenting. thegrandlife.libsyn.com
Non-fiction Podcast. A conversation between University of Victoria writing professors David Leach and Deborah Campbell (plus guest authors and experts) about the art, craft and ethics of researching, writing and revising creative nonfiction, literary journalism and other forms of nonfiction prose. Fresh episodes (almost) every Monday morning. anchor.fm/uvicwriting
Being Grandparents. Deanne and Stevie Fernandez are on a mission to learn how to become the best grandparents they can for today’s generation by working with all who listen and participate to join generations through family fun, stories of grandparents before us and plenty of laughter. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beinggrandparents
Check the Program. Arts and culture in Victoria. Hosted by Sarah Petrescu, John Threlfall, Melanie Tromp Hoover, Amanda Farrell-Low, Brianna Bock and Tim Ford. anchor.fm/check-the-program TheDaily Pep. For inspiration, The Daily Pep! podcast provides short (four minutes or under) bursts of support from host Meg Kissack. All of her mini-casts are supportive. Take a listen and feel better in four minutes or less. therebelrousers.com/ dailypep
The Grand Life. Grandparenting with our whole hearts takes time and intention. grandmag.ca
Stuff You Should Know. If you’ve ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Hosts Josh and Chuck have you covered. podcasts. apple.com/us/podcast/stuff-you-shouldknow/id278981407
The Afterglow. This podcast gives you the permission and tools to create your courageous second act. It’s for you who has spent your past, living life according to the historic societal expectations of women. And it’s for you if you’re committed to a future, beyond limits, of passion, self-expression and fulfilment. theafterglowpodcast.ca
Born & Raised. “Where are you really from?” is a loaded question for children of immigrants. Part reflection, part storytelling, “Born & Raised” digs into our experiences and connections with identity, family, and culture. podcasts.apple.com/ ca/podcast/born-and-raised
Vol. IV, Ed. I 11
Relationships
A Grandmother’s Guide to Bonding with Grandsons
I
t’s easy to bond with granddaughters. You bake cookies together, and then you have a tea party. You read Harry Potter or Alice, I Think. You let them style your hair until it’s dripping with barrettes and scrunchies. You make
Jacqui Graham has six grown kids and eight delightful grandkids. If she had known how much fun grandkids would be, she would have had them first!
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crafts with beads and sequins and smelly felts and the glitter glue that will NEVER come out of the carpet. On a sunny day, you might play hopscotch in the driveway. On a rainy day, you might explore the contents of your jewel box. Bonding with grandsons can be a harder proposition for a grandma. Raising four boys, however, has given me useful insights into the psyche of the young human male. They like food. They need to move. They love showing off to an appreciative audience. (Did I mention food?)
One rainy afternoon my 11-yearold grandson Levi came to my house for a couple of hours while his dad attended a meeting. Rainy weather ruled out yard chores or a visit to the playground, so we decided to watch a movie. Popcorn was duly popped and soft drinks selected. We were browsing through Netflix offerings when Levi cried: “Wait! I watched this movie at my friend Zach’s house and it’s sooooo good but I didn’t get to see the ending. Can we watch it, Grandma? Please? Please? Please?” What had caught his eye was “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” a 2012 followup to the 2008 film version of Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Centre of the Earth.” The more recent movie is based loosely on another Verne classic, “The Mysterious Island.” It soon became apparent that the only resemblance to the original story was the title and the fact that it did, indeed, take place on an island. The mysterious aspect was how this stinker ever got made. But who cares? It had everything an 11-year-old boy could possibly want: the lost island of Atlantis and huge lizards and Dwayne Johnson (aka “The Rock”) and miniature elephants and Vanessa Hudgens and the mummified body of Captain Nemo and generational angst and a volcano that spit out boulders of solid gold. (And, for Grandma, an aging but still foxy Michael Caine, camping it up in his final movie role.) Our brave adventurers got lost in the jungle, were swept over waterfalls, rode on giant bees, discovered ancient grandmag.ca
ruins, and (in a nod to the original story) realized that the island would be sinking back into the sea in JUST!!! THREE!!! HOURS!!! A frantic search ensued for the Nautilus, Captain Nemo’s 120-year-old submarine, duly located in a skeletonfilled cave. Not surprisingly, the ancient batteries were out of juice. But no worries, folks! The Rock, resplendent in a 120-year-old diving suit, lured a supersized electric eel to the sub. An epic underwater wrestling match ensued. Guess who won? After using the energy of the subdued beast to recharge the batteries, our valiant heroes emerged from the sea as the island slowly disappeared under the waves. Levi’s dad arrived during this final scene, impatient to get home. His suggestion that we finish the movie another time was greeted by general hysteria, whereupon he retreated to his van, leaving us to wallow in the 11 remaining minutes of angst. After they left, Grandma spent considerably more than 11 minutes vacuuming bits of popcorn from the floor on Levi’s side of the couch. She then brewed a pot of strong coffee, raided her secret stash of chocolate, chose a nice romantic comedy from her DVD collection, and spent two blissful, angst-free hours recovering from bonding with an 11-year-old boy. grandmag.ca
flexibility for different learning styles optional hands-on learning activities support from a certified teacher gentle and constructive feedback
Vol. IV, Ed. I 13
Health & Wellness
Running Your First 10k
S
For information and training clinics, visit frontrunners.ca. 14 GRAND
tarting to run can be daunting, but it’s one of the most rewarding activities you can do. Not only that, but it’s low cost and easy to do anywhere you are. Just lace up your shoes and head out the door! When starting any rigorous exercise its important to consult with your
adapt to the impact of running. One of the limitations to running is being prone to injuries or stress on knees and back, but if a plan is built and followed correctly, you can alleviate many of these misconceptions that running is too hard on the body. As you start your running journey,
health care provider to ensure you are clear for exercise. When taking the next steps to progress from a walking regime to running, it’s always best to consult with a coach or personal trainer to build a program that suits you. This will help ensure you follow a program that builds up slowly and allows the body time to
it’s a good idea to start and finish each session with a 10-minute brisk walk to warm up (or cool down) the muscles. It’s also recommended to do light stretches after each session to flush out the muscles and keep them moving freely. These two simple tasks can greatly reduce your chance of injury. As you look to build your running grandmag.ca
program, some things to consider are starting with a walk and run program. You should follow a timed walk/run interval, which allows the body to build up the strength and adapt to the muscle strain caused by the increased impact from running. The walk portion allows the muscles to have a short break and recovery before the next run interval. It is also a good idea to space out your exercise days out throughout the week to ensure you give your body time to rest and recover before the next session and to follow a three week build pro-
gram, followed by one-week recovery session. Starting your journey to running should be pain free and fun. By following a few of these suggestions you should be able develop a passion for running. Some other helpful tips are finding a friend or a group to run with to help keep you honest and motivated. We all know how hard it is to get out the door some days, so having a support network can really help. There are many helpful resources online or with your local specialty running retailers.
In-Pers On-Lin on & e Optio ns
STAGES Performing Arts School since 1980
ses
las o l C .. o h els. -S c Pre tle ang e lit t im Day or the f
Come Dance With Us
• Offering classes for Teens & Pre-Teens in Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Tap. Musical Theatre, Acrobatics & Hip Hop, in a non-competitive atmosphere. • Not sure which class to take? - Try a Drop-In: No hassle, No Obligation. STAGES Performing Arts School
#301 1551 Cedar Hill X Rd Call 250-384-3267 Email us at: stagesdance@shaw.ca Or visit our website: www.stagesdance.com grandmag.ca
Vol. IV, Ed. I 15
Join us for our Caregivers Out Loud podcast! A space to connect, listen and learn with other caregivers. You won’t want to miss these insightful, authentic and heart-centred conversations with caregivers that highlight the joys, trials and self-discoveries that come along with this rewarding and taxing role.
familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast
Open a door… to a brighter future
A unique opportunity to own an original artwork and help Habitat for Humanity Victoria to Open a Door for families, as local artists imagine a brighter future for us all. In support of Habitat Humanity Victoria, presented by Pemberton Holmes
Online Art Auction May 28 to June 13, 2021
habitatvictoria.com
Cooking with Grandkids
Dinner & Dessert M
ost children love helping out in the kitchen, particularly if it involves the devoted attention of a grandparent. Asking your grandchildren to help cook a meal not only teaches them lifelong cooking skills, it is a perfect way to bond and share. Food has always been a source of connection. A way to share your culture and heritage. And children enjoy the sense of responsibility, confidence and self-reliance that comes with serving a dinner they helped to prepare. When getting children to help with meal prep, figure out a few age-appropriate tasks: • Young children can help with measuring and stirring. They like to wash vegetables and can use a butter knife to slice soft foods like mushrooms. • Older children are ready to learn new skills. They can slice with small paring knives, grate cheese, read and follow simple recipes. Here are two simple recipes that are perfect for children of all ages to help out with. Older children, ’tweens and teens can even take the lead, with you helping them instead!
Cinnamon Cookies Making cut-out cookies is probably one of my daughter’s favourite activities. While eating cookies is nice, she really likes looking through our collection of cookie cutters and choosing which shapes to make. After we’ve rolled out the dough twice, she gets to make a few free-formed cookie shapes. It’s like edible playdough. This cookie dough is strong and reliable. I’ve added a bit of cinnamon for flavour, but you could leave them plain and decorate afterwards instead. ½ cup of white or brown sugar ½ cup of butter, softened 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 2½ cups of flour 2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt
Emillie Parrish writes from Victoria and Saturna Island. She is the author of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle blog: BerriesAndBarnacles.com.
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1. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl. 2. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract, until smooth.
3. Add the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine. The dough will be a bit stiff, so knead gently to bring everything together. 4. Place the dough in a plastic bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before baking. 5. When ready to bake, start by preheating the oven to 375˚F and grease two cookie sheets. 6. Divide the dough in half and only work with half at a time, leaving the other half in the fridge. 7. Lightly dust the counter and rolling pin with flour, then roll out the dough until it’s ½ cm thick. 8. Cut out as many cookies as possible and transfer to the cookie sheets. Place the remaining dough back in the fridge, then work with the second ball of dough. 9. After both balls have finished a first round of cookie cutting, roll both balls out together for a final round of cookie cutting. The remaining scraps can be turned into hand-formed “playdough” cookies. They won’t be as soft as the cut cookies, but they’ll still taste good. 10. Bake the cookies for 7 to 9 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from the cookie sheets. Store in an air-tight container for up to a week.
grandmag.ca
Stuffed Quesadillas Quesadillas are a fun and easy dinner. And a perfect way to get children helping out in the kitchen. They can chop vegetables, grate cheese and put together their own quesadillas. If you’re only going to make 2 or 3 quesadillas, then it’s probably easiest to cook them in a frying pan. Whereas baking quesadillas allows you to make a whole bunch at once. If you want to fry the quesadillas instead of baking, heat a pan on medium, then toast the quesadillas for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. 8 large flour tortillas or 16 small corn tortillas 1 can refried beans 1 tin of sliced black olives 1 large red bell pepper 6 spring onions 4 Roma tomatoes 2 avocados ¼ cup cilantro 1 cup grated cheese Salsa, sour cream and hot sauce for serving.
1. Each quesadilla is prepared individually, allowing everyone to pick their favourite ingredients. Start by preheating the oven to 400˚F. Lightly grease two baking sheets with vegetable oil. 2. Next prepare all of the fillings. Drain the olives. Chop the red pepper, spring onions and tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Slice the avocado. Wash and chop the cilantro. Grate the cheese. 3. To put together a quesadilla, start by spreading a layer of refried beans over one tortilla. Have each person decorate the tortilla with their choice of fillings. Top with a ¼ cup of grated cheese, then put a second tortilla on top. 4. Place the quesadillas on the baking sheets. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven. Press down on each quesadilla with a spatula to stick the layers together, then carefully flip the quesadilla over. Bake for another 8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tortillas have started to brown. 5. Slice into quarters and serve with salsa and sour cream.
Calling all nature lovers!
Join the CRD’s Biodiversity Challenge! Friday, May 21 - 24, 2021 How many plants, animals and fungi can you find? Join us on May long weekend and get outside with your family to explore the diversity of life around us! Enter your observations into the free and simple iNaturalist app and check out what other people have found too!
Learn more at www.crd.bc.ca/biodiversity
grandmag.ca
Vol. IV, Ed. I 19
Road Trip
Close to Home: Comox Valley
T
he Comox Valley is Vancouver Island’s adventure destination. Where else can you ski, scuba dive, mountain bike and kayak all in the same day? If festivals are the kind of fun you are looking for, the local Comox Valley festivals take place throughout the year (check for
Nymph Falls Nature Park (comoxvalleyrd.ca) Wildwood Interpretive Forest (comoxvalleyrd.ca) Royston Seaside Trail (comoxvalleyrd.ca) Comox Marina Park (comox.ca)
Beaches & Outdoor Water Activities
Goose Spit Beach Kye Bay Beach Saratoga Beach Miracle Beach Provincial Park
Tours & Activities
COVID-19 health order updates), and celebrate everything from music and shellfish, to fine art and aviation. The Comox Valley offers four seasons of experiences for visitors to enjoy— when it’s safe to do so. Here is just a sampling...
Hiking Trails & Parks For more information on things to do, what’s happenning, and where to stay in the Comox Valley, visit discovercomoxvalley.com. 20 GRAND
Strathcona Provincial Park (bcparks.ca) Seal Bay Nature Park (comoxvalleyrd.ca)
• Charter a fishing or sightseeing tour • Tour local art studios and galleries • Take a Mount Washington ZipTour and see 2.3 km of stunning alpineocean scenery • Travel 80 million years back in time by taking fossil tours with the Courtenay Museum • Taste your way through the Comox Valley by taking culinary tours • Discover Aboriginal heritage and learn about the K’òmoks First Nation (komoks.ca) • Go golfing. Comox Valley has nine golf courses that is suitable for golfers of all skill levels.
Local Farmers’ Market, Food Producers
• Enjoy local produce at the year round Comox Valley Farmers’ Market • Buy off-the-boat salmon, tuna, and halibut at the Fisherman’s Wharf • Buy fresh food from various food trucks at Comox Marina Park • Download the Taste Comox Valley App for a full list of Farm Stands, grandmag.ca
Healthy Families, Happy Families
Food and Beverage Producers and then you can make your own farm tour to taste the best of the Comox Valley
Other Outdoor Highlights of the Comox Valley: Comox Valley Disc Golf
Village Park Disc Golf Course. This is the place to start if you are just beginning your journey into disc golf. Completing the vision of the original builders of this course, the long version of the tee pads are now available to play. Lake Trail Disc Golf Course. This collaboration between the Lake Trail School and the CVDGC is still a work in progress with some additions and adjustments to come. This course has been designed as beginner friendly but accomodates all levels. Coal Creek Disc Golf Course and Coal Shoots Disc Golf Course are in Cumberland.
Miracle Beach Mini Golf
Enjoy 18 holes of exciting Mini Golf. A hole-in-one at the 18th hole wins you a free Mini-GolfPass. Located just north of Hamm Rd on the Old Island Highway, roughly 25 kilometres north of Courtney.
Quad Bungee Trampoline Mount Washington High Flying Adventure
Bounce high into the air with little effort while you flip in complete safety. Quad Bungee Trampoline may not be in operation during the summer of 2021, depending upon COVID-19 restrictions. grandmag.ca
Rotary Water Park at Lewis Park
The water park is located at Lewis Park, next to the Lewis Centre parking lot at 489 Old Island Highway. Other nearby features include the outdoor pool, wading pool, and playground area at Lewis Park. Rotary Water Park 2021, may not be in operation depending upon COVID-19 restrictions.
Outdoor Skateboard Park
The Comox-Courtenay Outdoor Skateboard Park measures approximately 24,000 square feet, making it one of the biggest skate parks in B.C. The bowl is the biggest on Vancouver Island, varying from 5 to 11 feet in height with a large hip in the shallow end, a vert wall and an over-vert capsule. The site also includes a huge street area and flow area. Other features include brick and rock gaps and various sized ledges, rails and stairs.
Riverside Fit Park
Riverside Fit Park features 16 pieces of outdoor fitness equipment with 32 individual stations that include equipment for cardio, upper body and lower body workouts. This durable equipment is available year-round for both informal drop-in use as well as scheduled classes.
Bear Creek Ranch
Set in the heart of the Black Creek countryside, Bear Creek Ranch is one of the best-loved training and trail riding centres on Vancouver Island. Whether you’re a casual trail rider or a professional horse person, Bear Creek Ranch has something to offer everyone.
Child, Youth & Family Public Health South Island Health Units
Esquimalt Gulf Islands
250-519-5311 250-539-3099
Peninsula Saanich Saltspring Island Sooke Victoria West Shore
250-544-2400 250-519-5100 250-538-4880 250-519-3487 250-388-2200 250-519-3490
(toll-free number for office in Saanichton)
Central Island Health Units
Duncan Ladysmith Lake Cowichan Nanaimo Nanaimo Princess Royal Parksville/Qualicum Port Alberni Tofino
250-709-3050 250-755-3342 250-749-6878 250-755-3342 250-739-5845 250-947-8242 250-731-1315 250-725-4020
North Island Health Units
Campbell River Courtenay Kyuquot Health Ctr ‘Namgis Health Ctr Port Hardy
250-850-2110 250-331-8520 250-332-5289 250-974-5522 250-902-6071
islandhealth.ca/our-locations/ health-unit-locations Changes with BC Medical Services Plan premiums mean that families eligible for partial payment of some medical services and access to some income-based programs now must apply for Supplementary Benefits through the Government of BC. Applications can be done online and take approximately 15 minutes. Families who previously qualified for MSP Premium Assistance should not need to re-apply if taxes are completed yearly. It is advised to confirm coverage before proceeding with treatment to avoid paying out of pocket.
For more information, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/ content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/ bc-residents/benefits/services-covered-bymsp/supplementary-benefits
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Media & Technology
Developing Digital Literacy
W To access the free resources, visit YouthTeachingAdults.ca/resources. Youth Teaching Adults is a collaboration between ABC Life Literacy Canada and Youth Empowering Parents and is partly funded by the Government of Canada through the Digital Literacy Exchange Program.
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ith an end date to the pandemic still not clear, Canadians are struggling to cope with physical distancing after a long winter. With seniors being the most vulnerable to COVID-19, they are likely to spend more time distancing for longer than the rest of the general population. Sadly, this isolation can have major repercussions. A recent study showed that social disconnection puts older adults at greater risk of depression and anxiety, and can even lead to health problems such as cognitive decline and heart disease. People with strong social bonds are 50 per cent less likely to
suffer negative effects from isolation than those who have fewer social connections. While technology can be effective in connecting isolated seniors with friends and family, access to technology is still an issue. According to Stats Canada, in 2016, 68.2 per cent of seniors had access to the internet, up from just 32.2 per cent in 2007. While this growth is positive, 30 per cent of the ageing population still has no access to the internet. And of those who do have internet, many don’t have strong enough digital literacy skills to use videoconferencing tools that may help to improve their mental health.
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A national literacy organization is hoping to change this by improving the digital literacy skills of adult Canadians. Through ABC Life Literacy Canada’s Youth Teaching Adults program, seniors can access free downloadable resources on tools that help people virtually connect with friends and family. These “lesson plans” are written in clear language and formatted as step-by-step guides for at-home learning, showing adults how to use Skype, Zoom, Google Duo and FaceTime in a way that’s easy to understand. These lesson plans come at a much-needed time as many adults, particularly those in disadvantaged communities, face isolation. Video calling platforms can help support the development of a stronger sense of connection and maintain already existing relationships. In one study, older adults who used video chat technology such as Skype had significantly lower risks of depression than those who did not video chat. “We know that digital literacy is an important skill that Canadians need, especially with 84 per cent of jobs currently requiring computer and technical skills,” says Mack Rogers, executive director of ABC Life Literacy Canada. “We are pleased to offer programming to help our Canadian seniors, who need these skills now more than ever. Digital literacy plays a huge role in maintaining social relationships, and our hope is that seniors will access these free lesson plans on our website and equip themselves
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with the know-how to use these important tools.” While accessing technology can seem overwhelming, Rogers advises seniors start out with a small goal to set themselves up for success. “Don’t set yourself up for failure and frustration by wanting to do it all at once. If you’re just starting out, set yourself a small achievable goal, like sending your kids or grandkids an email,” he says. “If you’re more advanced, aim to master a new software program or platform, like InDesign or WordPress. Depending on your goal
and level of expertise, you can find resources online or among friends and family.” For more advanced users, he cautions them to not skip over learning the basics, as it’s important to make sure you have a solid foundation on which to build. For example, learning best practices for staying safe online, such as never opening an email from an unknown sender and looking for secure “https” sites when entering personal or financial information, are important for those who will be spending a lot of time online.
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GRANDparenting
10 Ways to Be a Fabulous Grandparent
B
eing a knock-your-socks-off grandma or grandpa is fun, sure—but it also takes time and effort. Here’s how to be the best grandparent you can be.
Instead, turn the equation around and let your curiosity lead the way. Ask them about your grandchild’s likes and dislikes, latest accomplishments, and funny tricks. Tread lightly when asking about feeding, health issues, or sleep habits—you don’t want to be intrusive. Gentle, nonjudgmental inquiries show you care and allow you to support your child through any challenges.
Get silly
Ask rather than answer
Melanie Haiken is an award-winning health and wellness writer and editor. Reprinted with permission from babycenter.com. © BabyCenter LLC
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As a grandparent, you have years of parenting experience. You may feel like an expert and see your child—the new parent—as needing your guidance. But in that direction lies disaster. “Hard as it is, you have to realize it’s their turn to make parenting decisions. Grandparents shouldn’t get in the way,” says family therapist Sharon O’Neill. When you offer advice and opinions, no matter how well-meaning, you risk making already nervous new parents feel like you don’t trust them or respect their judgment, says O’Neill.
Grandparenting can mean all the fun of kids without all the responsibility. So enjoy it! Get down on the floor and play with your new grandbaby. Act out silly scenes with finger puppets, invent stories, and make faces. Save up jokes to tell older kids and watch funny movies together. Grandmother Sarah Williams made up a special language with her granddaughters when they were young, substituting words so no one else could understand what they were talking about. Now that the girls are older, they’ve started sharing funny video clips with her on Facebook. “It’s a hoot. My friends see these crazy things that Amelia and Lily post on my page and just laugh,” says Williams.
Beware grandparent rivalry
Avoid the trap of keeping up with Grandpa Joe and Grandma Josie—this will only lead to hard feelings. “It’s inevitable that one set of grandparents is going to spend more time with the child than the others, but that doesn’t mean anything in terms of the closeness of the relationships,” says Amy Goyer, multigenerational famgrandmag.ca
ily expert and author of Things to Do Now That You’re a Grandparent. Keep your grandchild’s needs at the top of your mind. There’s no such thing as too much love, after all, and a close relationship with one set of grandparents doesn’t detract from your importance—unless you let it.
Be mellow about mess
Let’s face it, kids are messy. You may have forgotten just how messy! Your best bet is to plan ahead so you’re not dismayed by a piece of toast landing jam-side-down on your white couch. It’s fine to designate some areas as off-limits and make others childfriendly. Since you don’t want to have to follow your grandchildren around with a sponge, set up a kid eating area where crumbs can fall as they may. You can use a wipe-clean tablecloth and even protect rugs with a floor mat. You’ll want to keep young grand-
children safe by blocking off dangerous areas and moving valuables and potential poisons out of reach.
Do things, don’t just give things
It’s tempting to buy the latest toy or game and see your grandchild’s face light up, and that’s fine. But experiences you share are often far more meaningful—and will create memories that last a lifetime. Document these experiences so they stay in your grandchildren’s memories. Even a day of babysitting is worth commemorating.
Don’t be a burden
Be careful of the common pitfall of
overenthusiastic grandparents: Making more work for the new parents rather than less. Amy Goyer of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) says she hears from many disappointed grandparents who wonder why they don’t receive more invitations to visit their adult children and grandchildren, seemingly unaware of how high their expectations are and how much effort and work they’re making for others. As your grandchildren get older, think of ways to spend quality time with them that are helpful to the parents, not intrusive or requiring a lot of organization and planning on their part.
Avoid playing favorites
Fawning over the dimpled baby while ignoring—or worse, snapping at—the rambunctious 3-year-old sibling is a classic grandparent faux pas. It’s near impossible not to be struck by the adorableness of whichever grandchild happens to be in the cutest stage. But every child will go through difficult and angelic times, and your job is to love them either way. The best way to combat favouritism is to make sure your visits include one-on-one time with each grandchild. Kids tend to be at their best when removed from sibling competition, and it’s much easier to get to grandmag.ca
Vol. IV, Ed. I 25
parents. Listen and encourage them to open up to you as much as possible. Don’t limit telephone calls to specific events like birthdays and holidays. Instead, call throughout the year and keep it light and fun. The first day of school, a tryout, a big game, or a playdate with a new friend are all reason enough to get on the phone. Use video calling if you can—it can be more fun when you can see each other. Keep track of your grandchild’s interests, the names they give new dolls or stuffed animals, books they’ve been reading—anything you can ask about in the next conversation so they know you’ve been paying attention.
know a shy child if you’re the only one to talk to. To make the most of your time together, tailor your activities to your grandchild’s interests. Bring a truck-crazed 4-year-old to a nearby construction site; take a princessy 6-year-old to tea.
Take the lead
It’s your job to stay in touch with your grandchild or grandchildren. If you expect them to do it, you’ll be disappointed and frustrated. “It’s age-appropriate for kids to be thoughtless about staying in touch. If you want the relationship, you have to be willing to do the work,” says O’Neill. Remember birthdays, of course, but celebrate other special occasions as well. Send Valentine’s and Halloween cards, or host a valentine-making or costume craft day if you live nearby.
Store and share family memories The stereotype of the boring grandpa who’s constantly talking about the good old days has unfairly made many older folks afraid to talk about family Document these and other experiences with photos and videos so your grandchild remembers them. Follow your grandchild’s milestones closely and ask to be included if possible. (“He just walked? Can I come over and see?”) Acknowledge achievements, from learning to ride a tricycle to the fifth-grade science fair, and request demonstrations. Ask if you can bring artwork home to put on the fridge. Attend sports games, plays, and dance performances. Cheer loudly, bring flowers, and take everyone out for ice cream afterward. “As your grandchild grows up, she will remember you as the grandparent who was always there to cheer her on, and that’s priceless,” says O’Neill. Remember, this is your chance to do it all over with just the fun parts.
Be your grandchild’s confidante
You’re an important outlet for your grandchildren because you offer an alternative perspective from their 26 GRAND
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history, and that’s a loss for everyone. Instead, be proud of your role as family historian—you’re providing important continuity between the past, present, and the future. Pepper your stories with humor and adventure and keep them short and to the point and the grandchildren will be hooked. Talk about your own life but talk about your adult child’s early years as well. As your grandchild gets older, he’ll love hearing funny stories about his mother or father as a kid – including scrapes, exploits, and what life was like back then. “Think about what you can contribute from your own culture, history, and personality—what can you pass along to the next generation?” says family therapist Christine Lawlor. And once the grandkids are doing history projects for school, watch out— they’ll want to hear all about your life “way back when” and what it was like to live through events they’ve only read about in books. grandmag.ca
Sign up for a
GRAND Digital Subscription
and you could win a selection of children’s books sent to your grandchild every month (3-month subscription) courtesy of Marmalade Books. Every month they will receive recently published books appropriate to their age. These books have been curated by a trusted children’s bookseller. Marmalade Books is a monthly book subscription company located in Victoria for children aged 0–12.
Subscribe now at
grandmag.ca Vol. IV, Ed. I 27
Money & Finances
The Gift of Giving Why Give?
lives, connects family generations, or memorializes a loved one. Whatever your reason, a community foundation can provide convenient, cost-effective and impactful giving options that support your specific values, interests and intentions.
Others give to ensure that the things that they care about are looked after. To support interests that have meaning to them such as the arts, the environment, social programs or education. Still others give to have an impact that lasts beyond their lifetime. A legacy that adds meaning to their
Getting Started
There are many reasons. Yours are unique to you. Some people view it as an opportunity to give back in return for a good life. To thank a community that helped them succeed.
For more information on how to build your legacy, visit victoriafoundation.bc.ca. 28 GRAND
Your gift is as individual as you are. It reflects your values and hopes for the community. Community foundations offer a range of giving options to help you give with confidence. You can start your own fund dedicated to a cause of your choice—or you may choose to give where the needs are grandmag.ca
greatest. You can give now or give later through your estate plan. It’s all about making the most of your wishes while making our community a better place. Whether you want to support an organization in your neighbourhood or a registered charity anywhere in Canada, a community foundation can help you. Here are some questions to consider to help get you started. • Do you want to give now, or do you want to make a gift later, through your estate? • If you prefer to give now, would you like to be involved in granting decisions, or would you prefer to have others decide based on your wishes? • Would you prefer to give to a specific charity or charities, or would you rather have your gift used for the most pressing needs in the community? • If you prefer to give to specific charities, do you know the organizations and causes you want to give to, or do you need more information to help you decide?
Growing Your Fund
Your initial gift does not necessarily mark the end of the endowment building process. Many fundholders continue to contribute to their fund on a regular basis. Your endowment can provide a simple way to carry out your annual charitable donations. • Contribute to the fund at any time with gifts of cash or publicly listed securities. • Contribute later with a gift by a Will, a life insurance policy, retirement plan accumulations, tax free savings accounts or other property. • Support the causes that are important to you through the annual grants from the fund. • Create a succession plan to ensure your wishes continue or rely on the knowledge and experience of the Victoria Foundation for future discretionary grants within specific areas of interest.
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F
A M I LY
FU
N
P
E R F O R M E R S
PRESENTED
BY
Rick Scott Family Concert
Sunday, April 18, 2021 @ 2:30 pm Virtual Livestream Performance $11.50 per household BUY T ICKETS ONLINE www.porttheatre.com OR CALL 250 -754 - 8550 Music and laughter for all ages! Rick Scott and his dulcimer combine songs, storytelling and humour in warm-hearted concerts for the whole family. One of Canada’s most beloved children’s performers. www.rickscott.ca If you can’t tune into the livestream event, the performance is available online for 48 hrs immediately following the performance.
UPSTREAM !
with The Kerplunks Saturday, May 15, 2021 @ 2:30 pm Virtual Livestream Performance $11.50 per household BUY T ICKETS ONLINE www.porttheatre.com OR CALL 250 -754 - 8550 Upstream! with The Kerplunks is a high-energy, colourful livestream performance guaranteed to provide children and families with 45 minutes of musical joy. The Kerplunks’ success has garnered the group three Canadian Folk Music Awards and three consecutive JUNO Award nominations. www.thekerplunks.com If you can’t tune into the livestream event, the performance is available online for 48 hrs immediately following the performance. TheatreOne is generously supported by
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