The 55+ BC Games

THE 55+ BC GAMES are hopping along the trail to Abbotsford making preparations for August 22-26, 2023. Registration for the games opened March 1.

To register does involve a little bit of a treasure hunt on the computer. You have until June 15th to register. Follow the steps on this site https://55plusbcgames.org/zones/zone8.

Step 1: Be sure to contact your Zone 8 Sports Coordinator to express your interest and to find out if you qualify and if a playdown is necessary. Right now there are playdowns for 8 Ball, Snooker, and Golf.

Step 2: Fill out Membership ($20) and Participant ($75) and Waiver forms and your Sports form.

Step 3: If you plan to do the fillable PDF, email all and an e-transfer of $75 to Zone8treasurer@55plusbcgames.org OR you can mail a cheque of $95 made payable to BCSGS Zone 8 and a print out of all your forms and send to: Zone 8, 55+BC Games

P.O. Box 28025, Lansdowne P.O., Kamloops B.C. V2C 1Y0

NEW THIS YEAR:

• A 10 km Road Running Race on the Saturday morning for all participants. If interested, be sure to check that you do not have any scheduling conflicts.

• No refunds will be issued after July 8th, regardless of the reason. But if your event is cancelled by the Host Society you will be refunded your $95.

• Cross-zone partners or team members do not require approval from the Rules Committee. But it is necessary to inform the respective Zone Registrar.

• Check out looking for “Team/Partner Finder.” Be sure to inform the Zone Registrars if you use this site to get a partner or a team.

• There will be no karate, triathlon, or trap shooting events.

HIGHLIGHTS from last meeting:

• Phil Maher was presented with the 2019 Ziebart Award of the Year in appreciation of his outstanding commitment and contribution to furthering the aims of Zone 8 55+ BC Games Society.

• Still looking for Sports Coordinators for Badminton, Bocce, Bridge, Slow-pitch and Whist.

• A fundraising event is in the works. More on that next month.

• Some Zone 8 t-shirts and jackets are for sale.

• Our president will be making an official complaint regarding the July 8th refund deadline.

Good luck with all your attempts to get registered. The golden ticket will be there so stick to it. You can always call your sport coordinator or our president for assistance.

8 tips for dyeing Easter eggs

Colouring eggs is a beloved Easter tradition. Eggs long have been symbols of fertility and rebirth, making them fitting icons for spring.

One story links eggs to Easter as well. According to some religious scholars, Mary Magdalene, the woman who was the first person to see Jesus Christ after His resurrection, was holding a plain egg in her hand while waiting for the emperor to share the good news. The emperor then told her that Jesus’ resurrection was as improbable as that egg suddenly blushing. The egg then turned red.

Dyeing eggs is an entertaining activity, but one that also may have some religious significance. Many families will colour eggs this Easter, and these guidelines can make the process go smoothly.

• Wait until just before colouring to hard-boil eggs. Good Housekeeping recommends boiling eggs for 11 minutes for a hard boil. Do not chill the eggs afterward; warm eggs absorb colour more effectively for more vivid results.

• Egg dye can stain furniture, clothing or tablecloths. Therefore, dress in clothing that you’re not worried about staining. Also, cover work surfaces with an old tablecloth and newspapers to soak up any spills.

• Make a drying rack to ensure that eggs will dry evenly. This can be a rimmed cookie sheet lined with layers of paper towels to absorb any excess dye that runs off the eggs. Or push pins into thick foam board and place the eggs on top to allow air to circulate.

• Consider using glass bowls or ceramic mugs to house the coloured dye solutions. These vessels are more sturdy than plastic cups, and less likely to be overturned by eager young hands.

• Scissor-style tongs are ideal tools for retrieving eggs from the dye. Eggs tend to slide off of the spoons or wire rings provided in kits, leading to splashing and kids dunking their fingers in to grab eggs.

• Stir dyeing cups often to guarantee consistent colour.

• Use electrical tape to make patterns on Easter eggs. Dip the eggs and let dry. Afterwards, remove the tape to reveal the designs.

• If food colouring-based dyes seem too messy, use watercolour paint sets and allow everyone to get creative. While some people may want to use Easter eggs for recipes later on, it may be safer to boil up a fresh batch of eggs for that purpose, even if it seems wasteful. According to Emily Rubin, RD, LDN of the Thomas Jefferson University Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “hard-boiled eggs should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking and discarded if left out for more than two hours at room temperature.” Chances are it may take two hours or more for children to find hard-boiled eggs hidden by the Easter bunny.