Kamloops Connector November 2021 by KamloopsThisWeek

November 2021

VOL. 30, NO. 7, NOVEMBER 2021 POWERED BY KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK | A PROUD PART OF ABERDEEN PUBLISHING

SMALL//works will be back for another show! Page 3

Challenging behaviours associated with dementia Page 8

Kamloops’ returns to live theatre Page 16

A BINDING KIND O’ BINDER Page 17

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What do I do next; the practical Social Sciences Page 19

Cantible Singers sing In Remembrance

ollowing a series of virtual choir presentations, The Cantabile Singers of Kamloops are performing for a live audience again for the first time since December of 2019 as they present their 11th annual Remembrance Day concert on Thursday, November 11. In Remembrance will be presented with a mix of in-person audience and live stream viewing options. Limited COVID-safe seating with a maximum attendance of 96 people will be available to view the concert with two performances at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1136 6th Avenue. The 7 p.m. performance will also be live streamed. About the concert, music director Ryan Noakes says, “Remembrance Day is an important day for many people, for a variety of different reasons. Because of this, we have put together

a musical experience that is designed to aid our audience in reflecting on the meaning of the day. We invite you to let us be the soundtrack for your reflection.” In Remembrance will be approximately one hour in duration with no intermission. Tickets are $15 for both in-person and live stream viewing options, and are available from http://cantabilesingers.eventbrite.ca. If space is available, admission at the door will be $20. As per current provincial health requirements, all persons age 12 and older attending this performance present proof of full vaccination (two doses) AND valid government-issued photo ID, prior to entry to the venue. Additionally, everyone age 9 and up is required to wear a mask at all times.

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2021 HUB International RCMP Seniors Christmas Dinner CANCELLED FOR 2021 This is not easy, nor is it a message that we want to send. The organizing committee of the HUB International RCMP Seniors Christmas Dinner has cancelled this event for 2021. Consultations with Health Care Professionals, Interior Health, Seniors Facilities and our valued attendees all contributed to our decision to hold off for one more year. We understand that larger capacity crowds are being allowed, however this can quickly change. We are sorry but the potential for one of our guests to be affected or impacted by COVID is one too many for our team to be comfortable with, regardless of vaccine passports and attendee screening. Our guest demographic is by far the most vulnerable and the responsibility for your safety continues to guide our decisions. We are looking at an outdoor event Spring of 2022. Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions or comments that you may have. My direct line is 250-377-2330. larry.grant@hubinternational.com With respect HUB International

HUB International Insurance Brokers

NOVEMBER 2021 3

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SMALL//works will be back for another show!

The Kamloops Arts Council annual big teeny-tiny art show is returning once again By Elizabeth Nygren, Kamloops Arts Council

fter another year, the KAC is bringing back the annual SMALL//works show to help fundraise for the KAC and support artists in the Kamloops area. SMALL//works is an annual show that is also a fundraiser for the Kamloops Arts Council. The show contains a variety of different types of work, including photography, acrylic, oil, watercolour, felting, fabric art, sculpture, pottery, block prints, digital prints, and much more. Last year, the KAC had 52 artists and over 300 pieces of artwork in the show and for sale. Elaine Burns, a pastparticipant of SMALL// works and an oil painter, has been successful and sold many pieces at the annual event in the past. This is Burns’ third year of submitting to SMALL// works and she will have 6-8 pieces in the show this time around. “This year will be my third year where I’ve submitted artwork to this show and for me, it is a great way to get exposure for my art,” Burns said. “To have it hanging in a gallery and having people come by

and see my art is what we as artists strive to have.” Burns added “the other thing I really like about the SMALL//works [show] is that it is a fundraiser for the KAC. So 50 percent of all the sales go to the KAC and it supports their endeavours.” All of the pieces within the SMALL//works show are small and prices don’t exceed $300 so it’s the perfect shopping event for the holidays and gift-giving season. Burns said that her experience with SMALL// works has been good. “The first year, I think I only submitted maybe 5 pieces, but last year I put in 8 pieces and they sold in the first week! I was just thrilled,” Burns said. “You just don’t know what people are going to like and to have your work purchased, it’s just a rewarding feeling that there are people out there who are willing to put their money behind your work and actually have it hanging in their homes and giving the art a forever home.” Burns defines her type of artwork as impressionistic realism. “I take most of my source material from nature,” Burns said. “I

love doing my work from my memory, so a lot of work that I do with my oil paints is nature scenes, sometimes imagination, and sometimes from trips I’ve taken around the world. The source for inspiration is endless really when it comes to art.” Burns hopes that lots of people come to the show whether or not they purchase art, but just to see artists work. “I want to really encourage people to come and see the show, and to just view the art,” Burns said, “even if you don’t buy anything, it’s nice to just come and see what’s being created in Kamloops these days and our artists from the region and to support the KAC, perhaps by buying a piece of art and supporting our local artists as well.” SMALL//works will be at the Kamloops Arts Council Galleries from November 20 to December 19 during the Old Courthouse Cultural Centre’s open hours. “I always say, giving art is a gift from the heart,” said Burns. For more information, visit kamloopsarts.ca.

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So how discombobulated do things feel for you? I realize there are still plenty of folks around that have gone through devastating, difficult, and challenging times— war time experiences that I cannot even imagine. Remembrance Day is only days away and it is important to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of so many Canadian veterans and My two cents service people over the decades. Moneca Jantzen Between the ungratifying end Editor to the Afghanistan conflict and the recent surge of fascism around the globe, particularly to our immediate south, it is easy to feel concerned about where things are headed. It is also worth considering what a potential slap in the face it all is to those that have served and fought against similar forces in the past. Which aspects of history are destined to be repeated even though we should know better by now? For many of us it feels as though much of what is happening to us and around us is more chaotic than ever. In many respects it seems as though the other shoe is dropping and we are starting to feel the full effects of the disruption of the pandemic and the pandemic is not even over yet. Many of the supports that propped people up are coming to an end and unfamiliar things are happening. Supply chains are horribly broken, inflation is on the rise, worker unrest is widespread, reconciliation with Indigenous people must continue as well as addressing issues around systemic racism and discrimination, democracy and free speech are both being tested, and we can’t afford to be so distracted from solving the climate change problem. There are still so many people in our region that were rendered homeless by the wildfires, for example, or perhaps are suffering from the opioid crisis which continues to rage. We have a healthcare system that is on the ropes for, oh, so many reasons and a serious housing crisis. Furthermore, the conspiracy theorist wing-nuts are coming out of the woodwork in droves. Sigh. I’m not trying to be a “Debbie Downer,” but it boggles the mind to ponder where it all might end. I think it’s safe to say that we might be in for a bit of a rough ride. Just buying groceries and filling our gas tanks is going to be painful for most even as we return to something resembling pre-pandemic life. In personal terms, I think some of the steps I took during the pandemic will help ensure that my immediate family and I will fare okay but I do feel like a side-gig might be necessary at some point. I’ve never been one to say “no” to extra work, but I admit that at 58 years old I have been resisting taking this step again. It is further complicated by the fact that I came very close to burnout a few years ago as I was self-employed, employed full-time elsewhere and a single parent to boot. It was a lot. Regardless, I will do what I have to do as long as I have my health. I certainly appreciate not having the pressure and complication of a second job and the fact that my daughter has become a self-sufficient adult in the interim. Some of this may still become more of a luxury soon enough and I just might have to hunt down that unicorn of a part-time job that perfectly meshes with everything else. Haha. As seniors, many people’s situations are already fixed and they can no longer work let alone “get a side gig.” Through a combination of hard work, fortune, planning and circumstance of health, some folks have few worries while others truly struggle. With winter and the holiday season on the horizon, those of us that are doing alright should remember to offer acts of kindness wherever we can, be it through the Legion (buy those poppies!), service clubs, the food bank, fundraisers, volunteering etc. The winter months can be especially lonely as well, so be sure to pick up the phone and call and/or visit those you know don’t have a solid support system. It all makes a difference. Let’s batten down the hatches and hope the winter weather isn’t going to be as bad as predicted. Our summer was extreme enough for one year. Take care, be kind and let’s all do our best. Oh, and remember to put your clocks back one hour on Nov. 7.

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Voices of Experience www.connectornews.ca Telephone: (250) 374-7467 Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Please address all correspondence to: Kamloops Connector 1365B Dalhousie Drive Kamloops, BC V2C 5P6 Publisher Bob Doull General Manager Liz Spivey (778) 471-7537 publisher@connectornews.ca Editor: Moneca Jantzen editor@connectornews.ca Graphic Designer: Dayana Rescigno creative@connectornews.ca Kamloops Connector is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve and entertain adults 45 and over. We aim to publish on the last Wednesday of each month and copy/booking deadlines are either the 2nd or 3rd Thursdays of each month. Please request a publishing schedule for specific information. Kamloops Connector is published by Kamloops This Week, part of the Aberdeen Publishing Group. Letters to the Editor must be signed and have a phone number (your phone number will not be printed unless requested). Other submissions are gratefully received although Kamloops Connector reserves the right to edit all material and to refuse any material deemed unsuitable for this publication. Articles, group and event listings will run in the newspaper as time and space permit. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from Kamloops Connector. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Kamloops Connector, Kamloops This Week or the staff thereof. Subscriptions are $35 per year in Canada. Any error which appears in an advertisement will be adjusted as to only the amount of space in which the error occurred. The content of each advertisement is the responsibility of the advertiser. Kamloops Connector recommends prudent consumer discretion.

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Butler Urban Farm: End of season reflections By Caitlin Quist

s we removed the last of our tomato plants from the field yesterday, there was a satisfying feeling of putting the garden to rest after a busy season. This year we have harvested 5,920 pounds of vegetables so far, which was donated to community organizations and individuals in Kamloops. This included many of our staple vegetables from last year, such as tomatoes, potatoes, and broccoli, as well as several new plants such as fava beans, watermelons, and amaranth.

We expanded the amount of land in cultivation on our site this season, and have begun the work of building soil and productive capacity in these areas. We are incredibly grateful for all the volunteers and visitors who came to the farm this season, who made it not only a productive agricultural space, but also a beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming place to be. While settling into the fall and reflecting on the abundance and joy I experienced this growing season, it must also be remembered that this year was a challenging one for many farmers and gardeners. With record breaking temperatures and a long and persistent wildfire season, the magic of working in the garden with soil and pollinators was lost at times. Many farmers lost a devastating amount of their harvest to the heat,

drought, increased pests, and even losing their land to fires. Breathing the smoke from wildfires is extremely detrimental to the health of the people that grow our food, and smoke cover can prevent plants from getting the light they need to survive. As well, these climate events were all felt within a system already strained under COVID-19. We all depend on the food that farmers produce for us, and as such, it goes without saying we need to work together to reduce emissions to ensure extreme climatic conditions don’t get much worse. Additionally, we must work to build a strong local food system resilient to shocks and challenges. What can we do, as members of a food system, to address the coming challenges to our food security? As a consumer, support your local farmers. Learn about who grows your food, and how, and support these producers to ensure we don’t lose an important local food source. As growers, make the shift towards more resilient ways of

growing that conserve water, protect and build soil, support pollinators, eliminate or reduce use of chemical inputs, and limit fuel use if possible. Additionally, participate in seed saving and building local seed security. Having local seed that is adapted to our hot and dry climate will ensure seeds that can survive in these harsh conditions. Protecting and maintaining a biodiverse local seed stock will make us more resilient in the face of extreme weather events. While we all cozy up for the winter, join me in learning and planning for the next growing season. • Protect and Build Soil: Use cover crops and mulching to add organic matter back to your soil while protecting against erosion and improving water retention. The cover crops we use at Butler Urban Farm include: buckwheat, fall rye, speckled pea, and various legume crops (beans, chickpeas). Additionally, adding nutrients to the soil through manure and compost will help build soil. • Integrated Pest

Management: Using integrated pest management systems can help control pests in your garden without using pesticides. This system uses natural enemies of pests to eliminate them without using chemical additives. Some examples of this include: planting plants such as buckwheat, dill, or cilantro near brassica plants to attract parasitic wasps that eat brassica pests. • Plant flowers that attract pollinators, especially plants native to this area • Participate in next year’s Seedy Saturday to exchange seed with others in the city We want to say a warm thank you to everyone that came to Butler Urban Farm this year, it’s the people that make it such a wonderful place to be. As well, a big thank you to the organizations and volunteers who turn our produce into meals for those in the community. We are a non-profit farm growing freely accessible food on Kamloops’ North Shore, for more information see Kevin’s article or our Facebook page.

Seasonal Recipe: Curried Green Tomatoes INGREDIENTS •1p ound green slicing tomatoes (or 1 1/2 pounds green cherry tomatoes) For the Brine • 1 cup white distilled vinegar (5% acidity) 1 cup water • 1 tablespoon kosher salt Curried Pickling Spice Mix • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar • 1 teaspoon curry powder • 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds • 1/4 teaspoon whole allspice • 3/4 inch fresh ginger, sliced into thin coins

PREPARE

1. Cut larger (slicing) tomatoes into 1/2-inch wedges, and cut smaller (cherry or grape) tomatoes in half. 2. When making curried and pickled green tomatoes, bring the brine ingredients, brown sugar, and curry powder to a boil. Stir until the spices dissolve completely. Fill a hot, clean quart jar with cumin seeds, whole allspice, and ginger coins; pack the jar with tomatoes; then pour the hot brine mixture over the tomatoes 3. Pour the hot brine over the tomatoes, covering them completely and leaving 1/2 inch headspace.Stick a chopstick or “bubbling” tool into the jar and move it around to release any trapped air bubbles. 4. Wipe the rim clean, seal with a lid and band, and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes (adjusting the time for altitude as needed). Store the jar in a cool, dark place. The green tomatoes will be perfectly pickled in about two weeks. (Taken from GardenBetty.com)

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3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum 6 NOVEMBER 2021Font Size: 30 pt

Questions to ask your financial advisor

Remembrance Day: Lest We Forget Chianne V Jones Financial Advisor

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ou should always be able to ask as many questions as you’d like when working with your financial advisor. So, before you meet, think carefully about what you’d like to ask. Here are a few suggestions: • Are my goals still realistic? When you first began working with your financial advisor, you may have articulated a number of financial goals. For example, you might have said that you wanted to pay for your children’s education, or that you wanted to retire at a certain age, or that you wanted to travel for two months each year during your retirement. In fact, you could have many

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different goals for which you’re saving and investing. When you meet with your financial advisor, you’ll certainly want to ask if you’re still on track toward meeting these goals. If you are, you can continue with the financial strategies you’ve been following; but if you aren’t, you may need to adjust them. • Am I taking on too much – or too little – risk? The financial markets always fluctuate, and these movements will affect the value of your investment portfolio. If you watch the markets closely every day and track their impact on your investments, you may find yourself fretting considerably over your investments’ value and wondering if you are taking on too much investment risk for your comfort level. Conversely, if you think that during an extended period of market gains your own portfolio appears to be lagging, you might feel that you should be investing

more aggressively, which entails greater risk. In any case, it’s important that you know your own risk tolerance and use it as a guideline for making investment choices – so it’s definitely an issue to discuss with your financial advisor. • How will changes in my life affect my investment strategy? Your life is not static. Over time, you may experience any number of major events, such as marriage, children, new jobs and so on. When you meet with your financial advisor, you will want to discuss these types of changes, because they can affect your long-term goals and, consequently, your investment decisions. • How are external forces affecting my investment portfolio? Generally speaking, you will want to create an investment strategy that’s based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. And, as mentioned above, you may need to adjust your strategy based on

changes in your life. But should you also make changes based on outside forces, such as interest rate movements, political events, new legislation or news affecting industries in which you have invested substantially? Try not to make long-term investment decisions based on short-term news. Yet, talk with your financial advisor to make sure your investment portfolio is not out of alignment with relevant external factors. By making these and other inquiries, you can help yourself stay informed on your overall investment picture and what moves, if any, you should make to keep advancing toward your goals. A financial advisor is there to provide you with valuable expertise – so take full advantage of it. Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Member – Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

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New Windows new headaches

THAT TECH GUY JEFFREY READE

n October 5, 2021, Windows 11 officially launched— which means tons of

questions for techs. The main question I get is “why change everything?” There’s a very long answer for that, however, the short answer is there’s an entire school of study called “user experience,” UX for short. It’s a mix of programming, psychology, graphic design and, of course, marketing. Like any school, new theories are made and applied to products. The problem is many forget that older users are used to doing things a certain

way. Another reason is security. Sometimes it seems easier to build a whole new Operating system than patching bugs and exploits. The problem is there are new bugs and exploits. What does Windows 11 mean for me? you may ask. The newest systems will have Windows 11 installed. In the new year Microsoft will start upgrading systems running Windows 10 to Windows 11. This is a completely free upgrade. The same was done

with Windows 7 and 8 to Windows 10. Don’t worry, the dates I’ve heard are late February 2022 and you can revert back to Windows 10. The downside is support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After that date there will be no more patches or security updates. It’s a ways off but I always encourage people to plan ahead for it. It always comes down to what you as a user are comfortable doing.

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8 NOVEMBER 2021

Thompson-Nicola residents invited to learn and respond to challenging behaviours associated with dementia

eople in the Thompson-Nicola region affected by dementia continue to feel the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with changes to routine, increased isolation and disconnection from support networks some of the challenges they may be experiencing. As a result, many people in Kamloops, Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Barriere, Lytton, Merritt and other communities affected by dementia may be experiencing changes to behaviour. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is offering two upcoming webinars to focus on commonlyexperienced behaviours and specific strategies for responding to them. Focus on behaviour: In a session focusing on behaviours on Wednesday, October 27, at 2 p.m. PT, participants will learn practical strategies to

better understand changes in behaviour and respond in supportive ways. Register for the webinar here: alzbc.org/webinars. Tips for responding to changes in behaviour Finding creative ways of responding to changes in behaviour is a process of trial and error. It can be helpful to keep a journal to record details about the behaviour and any responses you tried. Here are some approaches you can use to respond to a variety of behaviours: · Keep it simple: Explain things in simple sentences, breaking tasks down into easy, manageable steps. Keep the person’s routine as simple as possible and allow time for rest. · Be creative: Try to think of different memory aids that may help orient the person. If the person repeatedly asks the same questions every day, try

posting notes around the house to answer these questions. · Focus on feelings: Try to look past the person’s behaviour and consider what they might be feeling. Does the person appear frustrated? A hug or a gentle touch on the arm may calm them down. · Connect, don’t correct: As the disease progresses, the person’s thinking abilities change. Your shared reality will also change and feelings will become increasingly more important than facts. Avoid using logic and reasoning or trying to remind the person about something that they have forgotten. Agreeing with the person will ease the frustration for both of you and help prevent the behaviour from escalating. · Use distraction: Changing the topic or activity can redirect the

of B.C. is here to help to end-of-life care. person’s focus and allow The Alzheimer Society Connect to First Link® them to forget about what of B.C. is committed to by asking your healthmay have been making ensuring that people care provider for a referral them upset or confused. affected by dementia or by calling the First For example, reminiscing Link® Dementia Helpline with the person about their have the confidence and skills to live the best at 1-800-936-6033. The past can be a positive way life possible. First Link® Helpline is available of redirecting the person’s dementia support is the Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. focus. Alzheimer Society of to 8 p.m. Information and To learn about other support is also available topics related to dementia, B.C.’s suite of programs and services designed to in Punjabi (1-833-674the Alzheimer Society of help them. First Link® is 5003) and in Cantonese B.C. invites you to sign up available throughout the or Mandarin (1-833-674for the free webinars. An progression of the disease, 5007), available Monday to upcoming session includes: from diagnosis (or before) Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Equip yourself: Knowledge and skills to help get the support you need (Wednesday, November 3, 2 p.m. PT): Gain the skills you need to respond to common challenges that families face at key points in the dementia journey such as getting a diagnosis or accessing home support. To register for any of these webinars, please visit alzbc.org/webinars. The Alzheimer Society Generic photo for October Alzheimer Society of B.C. webinars

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NOVEMBER 2021 9

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Give where you live

By Dale Bass, Kamloops City Councillor & retired journalist

ears ago, Colin Noble’s father left a major donation to a local charity — and in recognition, a wooden plaque was placed on the wall. What happened to the plaque is a lesson in the power of giving. As the agency’s work impacted Kamloops, the plaque was made smaller and smaller —- symbolic of how donations can help fill the holes in the community fabric. “In 30 years, the plaque is now one tenth the size it was originally, the Kamloops man said. “I wonder what size it will be in another 30 years and at what point does it disappear forever?” “Buildings crumble, benches wear out, equipment becomes

obsolete, cures are found, orphanages disappear and services get used up. But for those who want their name to live on forever and have their name remembered, community foundations create the perfect solution.” B.C. Interior Community Foundation (BCICF) executive director Robert Miller said even a small portion of an estate “can result in a bigger contribution than you ever thought possible.” When money is bequeathed to BCICF, in addition to helping charities a person chooses to support, there are other benefits, including potential tax savings. Free resources

to learn more about this can be accessed online at whatsmylegacy. net. To learn about the necessary wording of a will to bequeath to the foundation, go to its website and click on the leave a legacy link. Legacy funds are created with these donations that are directed to purposes important to the giver. BCICF sees donations to its more than 200 funds that focus on youth, arts, health and families, the environment, arts and culture and more. For those who have a wider charitable scope in mind, the foundation has its Smart and Caring fund. “Every day, we at the B.C. Interior Community Foundation

see the impact of these funds,” Miller said. “We hear the stories of how students can focus on their schooling versus stressing over financial strains. “We visit the organizations that are on the ground working hard to ensure the spirit of community is strong for all.” Last year, the foundation distributed more than $336,800 to its communities. “Our donors and partners care about the future of local citizens and wish to ensure there are resources available to make a difference,” Miller said. For more information, call the foundation at 250-434-6995.

Remembrance Day 2021

Don Bennett Music Legacy Fund

WHAT’S YOUR LEGACY? Whether you want to create a legacy or support an existing charitable fund, we can help you achieve your goals. If giving is one of the family values you want to pass along, we can help.

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Similar to last year, Kamloops will be having a modified Remembrance Day as dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be 100 invited guests and the ceremonies will take place at the Battle Street cenotaph. The area will be closed off to traffic and the general public. The 415 squadron jets from Cold Lake, AB will do a flyover to help include more of the community. To further include the community from the comfort of their homes, the proceedings will be streamed on the Kamloops Legion’s Facebook page @KamloopsLegion. The Poppy campaign will proceed as per usual, so look for your poppy after Oct. 29 at merchants throughout the city.

REMEMBER TO BUY A POPPY AND SUPPORT THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION AND ALL OF THEIR PROGRAMS

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10 NOVEMBER 2021

Navigating Property Purchases – New Rules for Planning

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Legal ease KERRI D. PRIDDLE

n British Columbia every purchase of a property is subject to a tax of 1 percent on the first $200,000 of the purchase price and 2 percent on the remainder. This tax is called the Property Transfer Tax (PTT) and can add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of your purchase. As such, one important

consideration is determining if you qualify for an exemption to the PTT and realize a cost savings. If your purchase price is less than $500,000 and you are a first time home buyer, you may likely qualify for an exemption subject to some other requirements. Your lawyer will be able to advise you as to the additional requirements dealing with the size of the property, your residency status and maintaining the home as your primary residence. For a newly constructed home with a purchase price under $750,000 there is also an exemption available for the PTT and that cost savings will be significant. There are also partial exemptions and refunds in various

circumstances so it is always wise to have your lawyer look at all the exemptions available. Financing requirements can also be confusing and the “stress test” rules seem to change frequently, particularly when purchasing a recreational or investment property. While the lender usually requires 20 percent down or more for the purchase of

a second property, there is an important exemption. If you are buying the second property for your parent or child to live in as their primary residence, then you can still access the CMHC insurance available and pay just 5 percent down. This will allow more families to assist their loved ones with their housing needs.

Not yet back to normal, but Zone 8 more hopeful Submitted by Linda Haas

espectfully, we salute the military personnel who represent Canada here and abroad, and those who served and sacrificed in earlier times. We hope there will be live memorials this year to acknowledge their commitment. By December or January, we should know what sports will be offered at the Games in Victoria next September. We will also be able to produce an updated list of sport coordinators. Keep reading our greatly

appreciated friend of the 55+ BC Games, The Connector, for updates, as “return to normality” progresses. At this point, we still need to fill some sport coordinator positions. If you can help with archery, bridge, whist, cribbage, or bocce, Zone 8 would be most grateful. Also, we desperately need a new treasurer. Please contact our president, Peter Hughes, at 778-471-1805 or zone8pres@55plus bcgames.org to volunteer or for more information about any of these positions. The

Senior Games would not exist without volunteers to share a great experience. To keep up with ongoing happenings or contacts in the South Central zone, check out our website at 55plusbcgames.org Zone 8. Keep in mind that Kamloops will be hosting the Canada Seniors Games in August. More information will follow, but if you can’t wait to learn more, please contact our Director, Heather Sirianni, at 604-869-1951 or zone8dir@55plus

bcgames.org or go to website: canada55plusgames. com As we wait for the excitement to happen in Kamloops in August, and Victoria in September, you can start to get in shape and hone your skills in your favourite sport or activity. Many of us get heavier as we get older, but it’s because there’s a lot more information in our heads. Yet another reason to get out and exercise before the Games!

NOVEMBER 2021 11

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That Time of the Year By Gary Miller, Retired Service Advisor & Certified Automotive Specialist

s the title says, it is now that time of the year when we have to do necessary or enhanced servicing of our vehicle. Having it ready for what winter may have to offer is never a bad idea. Remember last summer’s heat impact on this area and on our vehicles? Climate change may also give us an interesting cold experience from our weather. I published some cold weather recommendations last year and thanks to the consistency of winter let’s go through a few of them now. Don’t be cheap about winter tires, it could be a very poor choice with great adverse affects. Getting that last little bit of wear out of the tires may give you little to no benefit under severe driving conditions. Low tread tires in the summer time can still give some level of traction but the same condition can’t be said when it is cold and snowy. If the tread is at or below 3/32nd of an inch or worn down to the

wear bars it is absolutely replacement time. I highly recommend having the tires checked for age and date of manufacture. This can be done at a reputable tire shop as this is their level of expertise. *Just for the record, at 7 degrees C or less, non-winter use tires can be quite ineffective. Due to posted highway restrictions, cold weather travel requires a tire designated M+S or the preferred snow flake symbol. Starting October 1 to the end of March (some signs say April) these tires are required. Also with all four wheels properly shod is highly recommended. Remember to install the best tires on the rear of the vehicle even if it is front wheel drive and remove the sand bags from the trunk, they will make you spin out on turns. For those of you with trucks, especially two wheel drive, if you add additional weight to the back of your vehicle tie it down so it doesn’t move in the box and locate

the weight on or in front of the rear axle. Extra load at the very rear will definitely contribute to a “spin out” condition on curves. Be sure to update your Winter Survival Kit with necessary blankets, candles, energy foods, liquids, flash light, small radio and flares etc. I noticed an informative article Oct 13 in KTW’s “Road To Adventure” about Fall and Winter prep and driving. Not seeing the need to reinvent the wheel I recommend reading the article. It is available online. On different topic, while renewing my vehicle insurance at the local ICBC, I asked them if there was anything new or a tidbit of information for the readers. They referred me to look at their information on some of the benefits of the Enhanced Care program. Just to set the record straight I am not in any way associated with ICBC but if there

is some information beneficial to all of us it would be remiss of me not to at least have a look. All I can suggest is to look into the available information especially for what is “new,” like Hit and Run coverage that does not require you to have to purchase full collision coverage for the added protection or the Income Top-Up benefit to cover a large percentage of your living costs while you are unemployed due to the accident. Please get the full information, I found it very useful. Please be COVID-19 smart out there. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at bigsix8280@yahoo.ca.

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12 NOVEMBER 2021

Our office will be closed November 11th

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KAMLOOPS’ BEST SELECTION OF VQA WINES AND BC CRAFT BEER

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Save the difficulty & inconvenience of trying to sell your RV by yourself! Remember, we will also trade UP or DOWN to get you the unit you want!

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ACROSS 1. Flintlike quartz. 6. Fend off 11. P ig pen 14. S tandard dashboard fixture, these days 15. E gg boiling aid 16. _ __ Levin of “Rosemary’s Baby” 17. Just right for the occasion 19. K alamazoo lass 20. L ong feathery neck wear 21. L uau souvenir 22. N ymph pursued by Apollo 24. K nights of the Round Table 26. S onic bounce, basically 29. i ’s and j’s have them 30. P eculiar 32. Tiny energy unit 34. N orway’s largest city 36. C opy of “Maclean’s” 39. S kin softening cosmetic 41. _ __ de plume 42. Tell a story 44. L anding lounge posting (abbr.) 45. Without any odour 47. G erman steelmaking centre 49. M osaic piece 50. G rassy forest opening 51. Toronto to Boston dir. (abbr.) 52. Actor ___ Arkin 54. S alon specialist 56. Yell “Heads up!”, say

60. Roofing specialist 62. Contend (for) 64. Well-known Chinese leader of yore 65. Common inhalant 66. What King Midas had 70. School’s winter fair sponsor, e.g. 71. Synthetic silk-like fabric 72. Japanese immigrant’s kids 73. Matched group 74. Prophetic signs 75. On one’s toes DOWN 1. Copies or cheats 2. Vietnam’s capital 3. ___ Allan Poe 4. Where Copacabana is 5. Saw or drill 6. Roof space storage area 7. Big name in rail travel 8. Thousands, to ancient Romans 9. Getting OAS payments, in brief 10. Something on your tires 11. Acts like most tourists 12. Interpret 13. Big Ivy League school 18. Act of derring-do 23. Penniless 25. Tiny old French coin 27. Second-hand info 28. Killer whales 31. Small impression

33. Obtain 35. Saudi Arabia’s neighbour 36. Research facility (abbr.) 37. Lady listed in the “Social Register” 38. Be very suspicious 39. Turned loose 40. Average marks 43. Whole shebang 46. Quite orderly 48. Work with a Singer 51. Conservative leader O’Toole 53. Black, to Spaniards 55. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ... 57. Make one smile 58. Marathoner, e.g. 59. Like a pitcher’s dream game 60. Drains of energy 61. Wander about 63. Big Sicilian volcano 67. Drain unblocking solution 68. Actor ___ Adams who played Maxwell Smart 69. Cod liver product

NOVEMBER 2021 13

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Seniors’ Resource Centre - Salmon Arm

NOVEMBER 2021

320A Second Ave. NE (Office Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm)

Calendar of Events

Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1H1 | Phone 250-832-7000 Fax 250-833-0550

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Monday Morning Market

TUESDAY

Foot Care (by appt. only)

Monday Morning Market

Foot Care (by appt. only)

Monday Morning Market

Day Away

SATURDAY

Day Away 11

FRIDAY

Day Away

Foot Care (by appt. only)

Day Away

Foot Care (by appt. only)

NOVEMBER 2021

The Merrit Seniors Association

Calendar of Events

250-378-3763 • 1675 Tutill Court | Cyril George, President Exercise 10:00 am Pool 11:00 am Cribbage 1:00 pm 7

Exercise 10:00 am Pool 11:00 am Cribbage 1:00 pm

TUESDAY

Exercise 10:00 am Pool 11:00 am Cribbage 1:00 pm

THURSDAY

Exercise 10:00 am Pool 11:00 am Pool 11:00 Cribbage 1:00 pm Floor Curling 1:00 pm Floor Shuffleboard 2:00 pm Whist 7:00 pm 10

Craft Day

18 Exercise 10:00 am Pool 11:00 am Pool 11:00 Cribbage 1:00 pm Floor Curling 1:00 pm Floor Shuffleboard 2:00 pm Whist 7:00 pm 17

25 Exercise 10:00 am Pool 11:00 am Pool 11:00 Cribbage 1:00 pm Floor Curling 1:00 pm Floor Shuffleboard 2:00 pm Whist 7:00 pm 24

FRIDAY

Rummoli 7:00 pm

SATURDAY

Rummoli 7:00 pm

Floor Curling 1:00 pm

Pool 11:00 Floor Curling 1:00 pm Whist 7:00 pm

Exercise 10:00 am Pool 11:00 am Cribbage 1:00 pm

WEDNESDAY

Floor Curling 1:00 pm

AGM 1:30 pm 19

Rummoli 7:00 pm

Floor Curling 1:00 pm

Rummoli 7:00 pm

Floor Curling 1:00 pm

No Bingo at this time Office Hours: Mon, Wed, Thur 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Tue, Fri, Sat 10:00 am to 1:00 pm All programs are subject to change

ALL HEALTH AND SAFETY RESTRICTIONS WILL STILL BE FOLLOWED.

SUDOKU 31

True Stories of Canada’s Everyday Heroes

Day Away

Merritt Senior Centre MONDAY

Canadian Courage:

SUNDAY

By Marilyn Brown

By Linda Pruessen 26

Foot Care (by appt. only)

Book Review

Day Away

Foot Care (by appt. only)

THURSDAY

Foot Care (by appt. only) 9

WEDNESDAY

Harper Collins, 2021 Non-fiction, 350 pages

e prepared to read and marvel: the thirtyseven short portrayals of Canadians putting the well-being of others ahead of their own safety or comfort will amaze. Some of the dramatic stories may be familiar from knowledge of Canadian history, or through more recent newscasts. Even so, the details presented here will fortify those stories, the author making good use of a variety of sources, including, when possible, the accounts of the brave individuals themselves, and of the people they helped. Each story is interesting, and heart-wrenching. The story of Terry Fox is an inspiration to not just Canadians, but to the world. John Cairn’s life was changed forever when one day at work on a CN track, he was run over by an unmanned train car: the result was near- death by hemorrhage, limbs amputated, and later a lengthy and harrowing recovery. His family and friends were his bedrock, and Terry Fox one he admired. Just like Terry Fox, Cairn found the strength to assist others in need. One of his goals accomplished was biking the 136 miles of the Highway of Heroes “… to contribute to funds for …the injured or ill Armed Forces members, veterans, first responders, and other heroes for whom this stretch of road is named.” “You don’t park it,” he says, “you keep on moving.” Mona Parsons was born in Nova Scotia in 1901, near Wolfville in the Annapolis Valley, and much later in life returned there, having married in the interim and moved to the Netherlands. She and her husband joined the Dutch Resistance, and at great risk to themselves, sheltered small groups at a time fleeing persecution, working against the Nazis who had invaded and occupied the area. In 1941 Mona was caught, interrogated, abused, and starved in order to “crack” the cell she was part of. She did not waver. Imprisonment did not result in her cooperation. “I was determined not to humble myself before them,” she said. In 2017, her heroism was publicly recognized, Wolfville citizens erecting a statue in her honour. The heroes described in this book are a lovely, motley crew: a six year old girl flagging down help after a nasty car accident; a Muslim man who distracts a murderous invader to a mosque; a 69 year old fellow in pajamas who attacks a polar bear with a shovel, to save a woman being mauled; a big Newfoundland dog named Sgt. Gander who risks his life to save soldiers in the Canadian regiment in Hong Kong during WWII; the women of Idle No More; and others. The stories resonate with the compassion and goodwill of ordinary people, each a testament to human resilience and sturdy hearts. The author, Linda Pruessen, is a professional editor (Key Porter Books) and contributor to fiction and non-fiction works. She resides in Toronto.

www.connectornews.ca

14 NOVEMBER 2021

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Chamber Musicians of Kamloops presents Baroque Pearls

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ANNOUNCEMENT Cates Ford Soll & Epp LLP is proud to congratulate Joe Torchia on his recent call to the Bar!

Joe Torchia

Kamloops born and raised, Joe obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from Thompson Rivers University. During his articles with our firm he has proven himself as an astute and detail-oriented advisor, ready to give his clients the best advice to achieve their goals. Now fully qualified as a lawyer in British Columbia, Joe looks forward to serving his community in the areas of wills and estates, real estate and business law.

TO HELP JOE GROW HIS PRACTICE, WE ARE PLEASED TO OFFER DISCOUNTS ON OUR FLAT RATES FOR SIMPLE WILLS, ESTATE PLANNING, AND REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS FOR CLIENTS WHO ASK FOR JOE BY NAME.

Congratulations Joe!

250.372.1234 • info@cfselaw.ca

Downtown Kamloops - #300-272 Victoria St.

C F S E L AW. C A

The Chamber Musicians of Kamloops’ concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2021 at Kamloops United Church, 4th and St. Paul. The performers will be Catharine Dochstader - flute, Cvetozar Vutev violin, Martin Kratky - cello and Curtis Howell - harpsichord. Although the music of Telemann,

Bach, Corelli and Handel was dubbed as “Baroque” by later generations - a criticism of sorts, as the word refers to a misshapen pearl - we now experience their works as clean, energizing, transparent and uplifting. Join us in a collection of luminous trio sonatas and other chamber works of this period.

A few more stories from Phil Branca of the Bridge River Valley

hil Branca has brought us a sequel to his original book Miners, Trappers, Hunters Packers and Other Tales from the Bridge River

Valley. Encouraged by popular feedback and seemingly endless stories to share, Branca has compiled a few more tales about his beloved Bridge

River Valley and added another great batch of photos illustrating his life as a guide and beautiful scenes from the area. One of the treats in this book is a long poem written by Branca’s good friend Timothy O’Keefe honouring the small mining town of Minto and the Bridge River Valley and lamenting the drowning of a town for the sake of a dam. For those interested in acquiring a copy of Branca’s book, write to: Phil Branca, Box 1402, Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0 for more info. The Kamloops Connector will raffle off the signed copy we have. Email your entries to editor@ connectornews.ca by November 17, 2021 and we’ll mail it to the winner.

NOVEMBER 2021 15

www.connectornews.ca

Spreading the Cheer

everything organized SHAWN FERGUSON Everything Organized

t is being said that this may be a different Christmas than we are all used to. The issues with Christmas this year would seem to be with the retail sector and them being able to get shipments to stock the shelves and deliver goods to customers on time during Christmas. Most businesses have been affected by the pandemic, of course, and many have had to shut down to redesign how they were going to run, perhaps at lower capacities so as to work with the proper

safety measures in place. This has created serious supply chain issues; a back order of items all over our world for just about everything. This has delayed how they can produce products, and of course these same companies are having major delays getting supplies to run their own businesses. I heard even a company as significant as Apple will be majorly affected on how many phones they can produce this year. COVID has affected everyone in some way. I know I have gotten accustomed to living with things at hand when I want them — “Oh I need this…Run to the store… Success!” — but it would seem we all may have to start planning ahead. Getting what you need ahead of time to ensure that you have what you need when the time comes or this may delay your plans. It will take some time for things to get back on track and it would seem that this Christmas is going to take the brunt of businesses getting back on track. It would seem that to lighten the burden on stores during their busiest time of the year, it might be wise

to get the shopping over with sooner rather than later and manage your expectations. If shipping, be sure to check as soon as possible to see how shipping to your destination is going this year as it may be too late already to arrive on time. This may be a different Christmas than we are used to but I’m sure we will all do our best to make it a safe and happy time. Now get out there and spread some cheer and always remember it is the thought that counts. Shawn Ferguson is a Professional Organizer in Kamloops, BC. He specializes in Senior Transition, Downsizing, www.everythingorganized. net , FaceBook https:// www.facebook.com/ everythingorganizedkamloops/ or call (250) 377-7601 for a free half hour consult in Kamloops. Do you have a topic that you would like Shawn to write about? Please email him at Shawn@ everythingorganized.net.

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How New Floors will Transform your Home

Flooring SHAWN VANDERWAL Nufloors

ou don’t need to completely renovate your house to give your home a makeover. Transforming your home could be as simple as upgrading your flooring. That’s because the floor is one of the

biggest visual interior design elements in the home. If you have old and worn-out flooring this is especially true. New flooring will completely change the look of your space. This month we are sharing a few of the ways new flooring will transform your home. Value Booster New floors will increase the value of your home and will likely result in your home selling for more, this is especially true if you install hardwood flooring as it is highly sought after by homeowners. Updated Look Old floors quickly date your home. It is amazing what new flooring can do for your home and the overall look. Hardwood floors are timeless and elegant, and they go with everything and every design style. If your budget doesn’t allow for real hardwood floors do not fret! There are so many beautiful and realistic

wood-look laminate and luxury vinyl flooring options available on the market. Improved Functionality New floors are cozy, inviting, and comfortable to walk on. They are also easy to maintain and care for, especially when it comes to laminate and luxury vinyl floors as many are waterproof or water-resistant. All you need is to regularly sweep or vacuum. If you choose to go with real hardwood, the best part is it can last for generations. Reduce Allergens Old flooring can be harmful for your health because they can be a source of allergens. Old, damp, and worn-out floors can harbour harmful bacteria. For example, dust mites love old carpet, and they are one of the leading causes of allergies. As always, if you have any questions about flooring don’t hesitate to give us a call or stop by our showroom!

250-372-1234 • info@cfselaw.ca

Downtown Kamloops - #300-272 Victoria St.

CFSELAW.CA

www.connectornews.ca

16 NOVEMBER 2021

Kamloops’ renowned professional theatre company returns to live theatre: A sensational new season filled with plays, musicals, dance, storytelling, and more!

estern Canada Theatre (WCT) welcomes audiences home to the theatre with an exciting new season, starting in November 2021. WCT’s 2021/22 Season includes two musicals featuring iconic songs and stories, two inspiring and exuberant plays, three World Premieres from bold and diverse female creators, and a special dance presentation from a nationally-renowned Indigenous arts company. “We simply can’t wait to welcome audiences back as we return to live, in-person theatre this season,” says James MacDonald, WCT Artistic Director. “With heart, courage, and the profound joy of being together again, we are excited to offer eight wonderful productions that bring us back together as a community. These past 18 months have helped strengthen our sense of home and

community—and the 21/22 Season is a true celebration of all the people, places, and feelings that remind us of home when we need it most.” The Heart Series shares hilarious and heartwarming stories about love, family, history, and the extraordinary place we live. After having to cancel performances in March 2020, Chelsea Hotel: The Song of Leonard Cohen makes a triumphant return with a story of love won, lost, and found again told through Leonard Cohen’s powerful and poetic music. Rick Miller’s tourde-force performance in BOOM will take audiences on an explosive trip through the music, culture, and politics that shaped the Baby Boom generation. Kim’s Convenience is the funny and touching play from Ins Choi that inspired the hit CBC show. Hey

Viola! Viola Desmond— The Soundtrack of a Life celebrates the life and music of a Canadian civil rights hero. WCT’s beloved family musical has moved from the holidays to Spring 2022—The Wizard of Oz (Directed by WCT’s very own James MacDonald) will take audiences of all ages on a magical journey from bluegrass-inspired Kansas to an electric green Oz as Dorothy and friends find brains, heart, courage, and home. The Courage Series amplifies vital new voices and untold stories with three female-created World Premieres. Clean is a bilingual production (English and Spanish, with surtitles), from Vancouver’s Neworld Theatre, that intimately explores different perspectives of female solidarity and consent; Hey Viola! Viola Desmond—The Soundtrack of a Life (featured in both Heart

and Courage Series) gives fresh insight on Viola Desmond, the fearless woman featured on the $10 bill; and Echoes of the Homesick Heart is an engaging new work about Indigenous language and cultural reclamation from Laura Michel, one of our most compelling local Secwépemc artists. There are even more special events and presentations in the works, including the spooktacular return of Tales from the Stage this Halloween, an expanded International Women’s Day Festival, and Red Sky Performance’s Trace—a breathtaking two-nightonly presentation at the Sagebrush showcasing Indigenous storytelling, stunning artistry, and cutting-edge dance. Subscription packages and information available at wctlive.ca.

2021/22 SEASON OVERVIEW HEART SERIES

Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen DEC 02 to 11, 2021 | Sagebrush Theatre BOOM FEB 24 to MAR 05, 2022 | Sagebrush Theatre Kim’s Convenience MAR 31 to APR 09, 2022 | Sagebrush Theatre Hey Viola! Viola Desmond—The Soundtrack of a Life APR 21 to MAY 07, 2022 | Pavilion Theatre The Wizard of Oz MAY 12 to 28, 2022 | Sagebrush Theatre

COURAGE SERIES

Clean MAR 24 to APR 02, 2022 | Pavilion Theatre Hey Viola! Viola Desmond—The Soundtrack of a Life APR 21 to MAY 07, 2022 | Pavilion Theatre Echoes of the Homesick Heart JUN 02 to 11, 2022 | Pavilion Theatre

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Tales from the Stage OCT 29 & 30, 2021 | Pavilion Theatre & Online Trace NOV 20 & 21, 2021 | Sagebrush Theatre International Women’s Day Festival MAR 08 to 12, 2022 | Pavilion Theatre Plus more!

NOVEMBER 2021 17

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A BINDING KIND O’ BINDER Creative Writing by Rita Joan Dozlaw

ffice practices in the 1960s differed greatly from business to business and women’s choices varied widely as well. Bonita Marsh finished high school with a diploma in commerce and rather than take her education further, she married Warren, a young construction worker. The happy housewife took part-time jobs to help their finances grow because her hubby’s work was precarious and seasonal. His job sites were as unpredictable as Bonita’s work schedules so the couple made the practical decision to move from the apartment into a convenient mobile home. Warren bought a truck and towed their home on wheels to each job location. The adventure was fun and particularly comfortable when they closed their doors to the outside world of strangers and were at home wherever they parked. Bonita signed up with ‘Sten-or-Sec,’ ‘Girl Friday’ and ‘Office Overload’ in Ontario and New York State. Similar to employment agencies, the companies assigned clerical workers to various job postings where temporary help was needed. With her specialized skills, Bonita fit in and was rewarded in her capacity as a ‘temp.’ Interesting opportunities in various industries, organizations, schools and reputable legal, medical and other professional offices could be located down the street or clear across town. The postings lasted anywhere from a few days to a few months depending on the job. Bonita worked temporarily for expanding businesses, holiday relief, and vacancies left by employees on sick leave and those absent for personal reasons.

Whatever her situation, she was enthused, and the arrangement worked very well for the life-style she and Warren enjoyed. Bonita’s last temporary job in Ontario was a three-month stint with the progressive Steel Company of Canada. Ready for a change, she agreed with Warren that the grass looked greener in British Columbia. They made it across the country as far as Edmonton. Within days, Bonita had full-time employment with the Petroleum Industry Training Service, a newly established company housed in the Department of Extension in the University of Alberta. Her supervisor, Assistant Professor Ewald (Walt) Gabert, worked as oil field production instructor for P.I.T.S. as it was called in its infancy years. It wasn’t long before their hard work paid off and the outfit became a self-supporting non-profit incorporated society. The one-man, onewoman office, later operating out of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, appointed committees and subcommittees of experts in the petroleum industry to develop comprehensive correspondence study courses for the drilling industry. Using an Underwood typewriter, Bonita’s responsibilities were to edit the rough drafts and type the course content onto specially designed stencils after which she mimeographed multiple copies of the manuscripts on a cyclostyle Gestetner machine. Around a huge conference table, she set out the pages of the modules numerically and, circling the table, she collated them by hand. She stacked and readied them for professionals to take over the covers

essays about her work in Edmonton. Like many retirees, she frequented second hand stores. For writing supplies, she wandered into the Sally Ann and selected a 3-ring binder. Turning to leave, something on a nearby shelf caught her eye. Studying the gold print on the bottom of the item, she was astounded to read, ‘PETROLEUM INDUSTRY TRAINING SERVICE.’ She laid the 3-ring binder down and grabbed up the rich maroon-coloured binder and held it close as she recalled her youthful years with P.I.T.S. and the

and binding. Hundreds of training modules were widely distributed to prospective students working and studying in oil industry operations such as the Great Canadian Oil Sands Ltd., aka the Tar Sands in Northern Alberta. The courses acted as a forerunner for other correspondence courses and became the basis for home-study series later developed by the petroleum industry out of the University of Texas. Bonita’s history of employment with P.I.T.S. set her on a life-long journey as an executive secretary in several different industries throughout her career. While working for P.I.T.S., the happy day arrived when Bonita announced her first pregnancy. With no such thing as maternity leave, she gave her notice and began the monthlong selection process, with Gabert, for her replacement. Robin Stokes, a married graduate of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology was hired on. Three weeks later when she arrived for her first day of work, neither Gabert nor Bonita recognized her; for, she’d become a bottled blonde, a term coined in her day. A smart, quickstudy, Robin brought a lot of fun to Bonita’s last weeks on the job. When the couple left Alberta and relocated in Kamloops, B.C., unfortunately Bonita lost contact with former business associates in Edmonton. She missed Robin and often reminisced over old photos taken in the park where, so long ago, she and her friend had the frightful fender bender and often ate, from their bag lunches, together on a park bench. Bonita’s pastime as a hobby writer, after retirement, led her to pen

lovely friend she’d made there. She went home and, with Robin Stokes on her mind, she opened her bulging memory box. Piece by piece, she took out the timeless and unforgettable memorabilia including her essays on P.I.T.S., photos of the vintage Gestetner 300 and endearing office shots of her old friend. She spent hours reading through the collection then inserted all the P.I.T.S. material in the authentic, new-to-her, engraved, faux-leather binder. She booted up her computer, Googled the company name and found

that P.I.T.S. was still operating in Alberta. She Googled Robin Stokes and enough info appeared for her to find Robin, and she wasted no time meeting up with her for old time’s sake. “I moved here last year and down-sized. A lot of my cast-offs went to the Sally Ann!” “Oh, Robin, I’m thrilled that I found your wellpreserved binder there! It’s been more than fifty-five years since our colleague days! We made new friends but can keep the old, you know. One is silver and the other is gold!” “Absolutely!”

City of Kamloops Office of the Mayor

Lest we forget Kamloops City Council gives heartfelt thanks to all Veterans. We will remember them. Kamloops.ca

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18 NOVEMBER 2021

UNITED CHURCHES OF CANADA Kamloops United Church

www.kamloopsunited.ca 421 St. Paul St. • Sundays 10 am Rev. Dr. Michael Caveney

Mt. Paul United Church

www.mtpauluc.ca 140 Laburnum St. • Sundays 10 am

Plura Hills United Church

www.plurahillsunited.com 2090 Pacific Way • Sundays 10 am

Dianne Zimmerman August 10th, 1936 – September 26th, 2021 With sadness, the family announces the peaceful passing of Dianne Zimmerman on September 26, 2021, at Pine Grove Care Centre, in Kamloops, BC. Dianne leaves behind her five children: Judy Paquin, Terry Olsen (Rob), Linda Strate, William Witwicky, and David Witwicky (Cheri), as well as four step-children, Jerry Zimmerman, Barry Zimmerman (Cindy), Patrick Zimmerman, and Kerri Zimmerman (Rob). In addition, Dianne was a loving grandmother and great grandmother to numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She follows her deceased parents Ruth and Robert Fraser, her siblings: Norman, Gerald, Donald, Robert, Jean, her husband Frank Zimmerman, and her son-in-law Noel Paquin. Born in Astoria, Oregon, Dianne spent her early years in Edmonton AB, before moving to Jasper. Dianne loved to have a good laugh, and during times with one of her good friends, Mary Graham, the two would engage in bouts of raucous laughter. Dianne loved country music and was a member of a very musical family of fiddlers and guitar players. She enjoyed going out to dances and listening to live music. As a mother, she would sing and play the guitar to her children. Frank and Dianne were married in 1977 and just a few years later moved to Kamloops and then to McLure BC where she enjoyed raising a few farm animals, growing a large garden, canning, baking and cooking for family and friends. During those years she worked in the laundry department at Overlander Extended Care where she forged some treasured friendships. A true artist, Dianne engaged in many hobbies during her life in McLure and Kamloops, including quilting, crocheting, ceramics, and painting. Her talents truly blossomed after retirement, she would take an old piece of furniture or rock and transform it into something unique and beautiful. She leaves behind many of her creations for her family. Always a hard worker, Dianne liked to relax by being outside or in the garden. She enjoyed taking a car ride with her husband of over forty years, Frank, down country roads in the fall to see the leaves changing colors. Over the years some of her fondest memories were of her travels, beginning with a trip to Europe with her dear girlfriends and later family vacations and RV trips across Canada and down South. In her later years, Dianne was an avid hockey fan, following the Kamloops Blazers and the Vancouver Canucks on TV. A person of great moral character, Dianne had strong values that she lived by every day. She was loving and caring and would lend an ear and an open heart to her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. Always level-headed, she offered excellent advice and a generous spirit. Dianne represented strength and stability and was the rock in her family. Dianne’s family will never forget her strength, love, and generosity. The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Pinegrove Care Centre for providing such comfort and support, to Dianne, these past few months. A private family ceremony, to celebrate Dianne, will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at DrakeCremation.com

250-377-8225

I Look to the Hills

greens have become the dominant colour again. In time the same rebirth will come to those areas destroyed by fires. Our human population is now enduring a similar season of disease and Colouring outside the lines death. This pandemic REV. LEANN BLACKERT is changing our world Wild Church in truly measurable ways. As we enter the fall season – and flu season – we n the ancient story are struggling with of the Christian church, a poet once our response and wondering just how wrote these words: long this pandemic I look to the hills. will run. We remain From where does my limited in what we can help come? My help comes from the Creator do. We are encouraged to wear masks to help who made heaven and prevent further spread earth. of the coronavirus. Sitting in quiet Hand sanitizer greets reflection, I look us at store entrances, to the hills. Green and we wash our with pockets of gold hands while humming look back. A perfect or singing songs of fall afternoon. The at least 20 seconds. completely still lake Our lives reflect the water beneath me damage this season of reflects a near perfect disease and death has mirror image. brought. So many shades of As I look at these green decorate the hills, though, I am hillside that a mere reminded that this five years ago was season will one day swathed in big orange pass. There will be and brown stripes where pine beetles had lamenting for what this pandemic has done their damage. meant in terms not It was a season of just of our physical death that left many of us lamenting the destruction of trees across the forested regions of this province and of the country. Is it fair to say the forests have recovered? I think it better to say the forests have adapted. Recovery from a prolonged season of disease and death isn’t really possible, but the diseased and dead trees no longer populate the hillsides. Lush new life has filled the gaps until

health, but also for the very painful economic suffering that many are experiencing. There will be deep grieving for those who do not survive. We still don’t know or understand the long-term impacts of this disease. And again, we cannot really speak in terms of recovery because we can never recover what has been lost: lives, time with friends and family, jobs, businesses. But, like the forests, we will adapt. Where this disease has marked us will one day be recoloured with new life, new ways of living, new ways of being in community with one another. Already our online gatherings have opened us to communities without regional borders. My book group now includes people from across Canada as well as someone from the east coast of the US. We are a creative and resilient people. Who knows what this world will look like in five years. I hope it will look better as we learn again how to be a compassionate people who understand that

every life has worth, whether human or more than human. I look to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Creator who made heaven and earth. In this time of uncertainty, disease, and anxiety, my hope is that you find your help in a soul connection with that which is greater than we are – however that may happen for you. I plan to pull up my chair and enjoy the view of the hills that surround us and be reminded of the One who made them. Rev LeAnn Blackert works with Michele Walker, Lesly Comrie and Linda Clark in ministry with Wild Church in Kamloops, Sorrento and the Okanagan. She considers herself a seeker in her faith journey and wanders the wild world looking for the Great Mystery and the “wild Christ.” July happens to be her favourite month of the year. To find out more, visit wildchurchbc.org and be in touch!

NOVEMBER 2021 19

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What do I do next: the practical Social Sciences

The inside story WENDY WESEEN

hew! I’ve been thinking about the last 18 months since I went into hiding from Covid. During that time, I moved into a retirement residence with assisted living services. This August, after a Covid induced wait with much pain and loss of mobility my constant companion in a year-long lock down, I had a total hip replacement in the middle of normal age-related changes, that would have made anyone’s head spin and would have occured anyway without the isolation and loneliness of Covid. I don’t think I was worse off than anyone else. I wasn’t. That’s the point. Developmental Psychologists call the

seventy to death stage of life a challenging and sorrowful age of losses. I was in a geriatric existential crisis without Covid, equal to many other human events such as having a first child, losing a spouse, fire burning down our house, or living in a lengthy pandemic the magnitude of Covid 19. These things are studied by social scientists. Yes, scientists. Social science is devalued in western culture but during the Covid pandemic, there has been a new interest in the social issues of homelessness, mental health and illness, addictions, the role of the arts, the situation of senior citizens and the vulnerable elderly, and social science was in tandem with increased understanding about hard science and its truth. In social science, existential is defined as a theory that focuses on free will and personal responsibility. An existential crisis can happen when we lose control of what we thought we were incharge of, loss of our sense of free will, precipitated by

a crisis we did not expect or plan for. To quote John Lennon, “life is what happens to us when we’re making other plans,” what makes us question where do we go from here? Who am I now No longer with a hometown? No longer have a husband. Can’t go where I want to go? Can’t breathe. People put their own understanding on words not knowing the scientific definition and following an incorrect popular use of a word. For example, the word systemic is bandied around today when used with reference to racism, sexism, and ageism and political leaders use their personal understanding and definition of systemic that has no reference to those established by social science. But I digress. There are times in life and history when we are in that existential gap, when there is confusion about who we are, what we want as a collective community, as families and as individuals, often happening involuntarily when a huge change affects large populations. Then we begin to

question our purpose, and social science becomes a source of knowledge that could lead to clarity. Existential crisis happens at an individual level in the last stage of our life; the one that prepares us for death. But now an added crisis overshadowing the whole world. A long time ago I experienced a profound grief and met a monk in a garden at a retreat about loss. A Benedictine monk wearing blue jeans and a plaid shirt picking berries off a long row of raspeberry canes, he was celebrating the fulfillment of the sustaining needs of his monestary. After a lengthy converstation about vocations, he said, “No doubt losing your identity as a wife will be a time of questioning your life’s calling.” And it was. Now in the last stage of my life, in the middle of a world crisis, in double trouble, doing my life review and wondering how to spend my “golden” years after a hopeful recovery of my body, after Covid, I wonder what my purpose and identity will be.

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Mail or drop off your entry to: Kamloops Connector, 1365B Dalhousie Dr, Kamloops, BC, V2C 5P6 or email your details with “Robin’s Room Contest” to win@connectornews.ca. Random draw from entries submitted for the contest. One entry per household. Draw date: Friday, Nov. 5th at 9:00am. Prize must be accepted as awarded. Winners will be called to arrange pick up of their prize. Name .............................................................................................................. Phone............................................................................................................. Email .............................................................................................................. If you would like to receive special offers from Robin’s Room, check here

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What if Murray doesn’t qualify for the Canada Pension Death Benefit?

ast month Alice came for help. Her husband Murray had just died. Murray’s wishes were very simple: he wanted to be cremated. He also clearly stated that he wanted no formal funeral or memorial service. “Just have a little celebration of

a program designed for people who cannot afford funeral, burial or cremation services. There are some restrictions. For example they won’t pay for an obituary or a death certificate ($27). And, if it turns out that Murray did qualify for the CPP Death Benefit, the B.C. Government would take that benefit – Alice wouldn’t get it. There is also a clear process designed to determine eligibility. The government worker has to ascertain that Murray qualifies, and that the application is legitimate. But we’ve helped many people over the years who couldn’t afford services. Alice didn’t need this option but was grateful to know that it exists.

(Formerly Goessman Denture Clinic) NTURIST AS DE S

be paid in the next week or two. If Service Canada rejects your application for the Death Benefit – it can take a couple of months for them to give you their decision – will you be able to handle the payment for cremation in the meantime?” Alice thought for a moment and then said with a little twinkle “Murray set some money aside, but I was thinking of paying for it by credit card. I’ll get points you know.” I was happy to hear that Alice was not going to be placed under a financial strain; she had enough on her mind already. But what if Alice didn’t have any money set aside or didn’t have a credit card? The Province of British Columbia has

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life with a few friends and family in our backyard” Murray said a few weeks earlier. Alice had heard of the CPP Death Benefit of $2,500 and thought that it would pay for Murray’s cremation. I asked her a couple of questions about Murray’s work history and became worried that Murray may not qualify for the $2,500 Death Benefit. It seems that although he was receiving CPP at the time of his death, it was only about $200 per month. That’s because Murray didn’t contribute to the Canada Pension Plan during most of his working life. During my meeting with Alice I asked her “Alice, we don’t require payment today, but we will need to

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20 NOVEMBER 2021

DID YOU KNOW?

Hearing loss is common and treatable.

What to do if you have hearing loss You can start with your doctor or general practitioner (GP), who will most likely refer you to a hearing healthcare professional. Or, you can go directly to a hearing healthcare professional, like an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor), audiologist or hearing aid specialist. The goal is to find a professional who specializes in hearing: someone who has the equipment, training and expertise to thoroughly evaluate your hearing and work with you to develop a personalized treatment solution. Experts also recommend you treat hearing loss sooner rather than later. Study after study have linked untreated hearing loss to an array of issues like depression, anxiety, increased risk of falls and hospitalizations, and even dementia. Also, the longer you live with impaired hearing, the longer and harder it will be to recover once treatment starts.

Lest We Forget

Getting Help... If hearing loss is confirmed during your appointment with a hearing healthcare professional, you’ll most likely be prescribed hearing aids. Hearing aids are by far the most common way to treat hearing loss. They can help the majority of people who have hearing loss, especially if the hearing aids have been fit by an experienced professional. Just as every person is unique, every person’s hearing needs are unique. That’s why it’s important that if you do get hearing aids, they are fit, programmed and customized to your specific hearing and lifestyle needs — and that you have access to proper follow-up and aftercare treatment. Like other high-tech devices, hearing aids have improved significantly in recent years. They’ve become smaller, offer improved sound quality, and include new capabilities like fitness tracking, fall detection and language translation. November 11th

Remembrance Day

Hearing testing, hearing aid fittings and hearing aid programming by appointment only. PLEASE CALL 250-372-3090 TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT. Drop in for a cleaning! Please call us from your cell phone when you arrive or come and knock on the door and we would be happy to assist you.

414 Arrowstone Drive Kamloops, BC 250.372.3090 Toll Free 1.877.718.2211 Email: info@kamloopshearingaidcentre.ca or online at:

www.KamloopsHearingAidCentre.ca Find us on facebook: /KamloopsHearingAidCentre