Gtw aug 20

GATEWAY

Your community voice for the north!

WEDNESDAY August 20 2014

Northern Health gets fund to reduce use of antipsychotic drugs NEWS PAGE 3

Prince George to Wells, B.C. ATV ride

A three-day excursion through the backcountry from July 25 to 27

LIFE PAGE 8

ATVing ‘like a big family’

The Prince George ATV Club is one of 40 clubs in the province

LIFE PAGE 2O

Don’t wait to talk to your children about cyberbullying BACK TO SCHOOL PAGE 26

Brad Paisley in concert October 5 at CN Centre

Country Nation World Tour! With special guests Brad Paisley is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer. Winner of 3 Grammy’s, and a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001!

NEWS AND EVENTS FOR PRINCE GEORGE AND CENTRAL INTERIOR

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GATEWAYnews

Colleen Sparrow Publisher

T Northern Health gets fund to reduce use of antipsychotic drugs

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Neil Godbout managing Editor

One initiative is called PIECES, which o reduce the inappropriate use of stands for physical, intellectual, emotional, antipsychotic medication among capabilities, environmental and social. dementia patients, Northern “That program Health has received is a best practice, $50,000 from a learning and the Canadian development Foundation initiative, that for Healthcare The use of antipsychotic provides an Improvement approach to to implement medications as a first choice to understanding and programs at four treat behavioural and psychological enhancing care sites in the region.

Northern symptoms of dementia is a practice for patients,”said Jonathon Dyck, Health is among that can seriously harm patients. communications 15 healthcare organizations – Dr. Karen Fruetel officer for Northern Health.“It takes a across Canada holistic approach to taking part in the common issues, diagnosis and challenges national initiative. for older persons at risk, including those There are existing programs in place with aggressive behaviour.” at Northern Health that this project will complement.

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GATEWAYnews n Northern Health Cont’d on page 3 Another program in place is called the gentle persuasive approach that delivers a basic understanding of dementia and how people who have a form of dementia can react under different circumstances.This approach strives for a positive outcome for both the patient and the caregiver.

Details of this funded program and how it will be implemented is yet to be determined, Dyck said.

The foundation provides funding and helps measure the impact these projects will make to patient care and health spending.

At present, one in three long-term care residents in Canada is on antipsychotic medication without a diagnosis of psychosis from a doctor.

Choosing Wisely Canada, an organization with a campaign to help physicians and patients engage in conversations about unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures, has identified the use of antipsychotics to treat behaviourial and psychological symptoms of dementia as common practice.

“The use of antipsychotic medications as a first choice to treat behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia is a practice that can seriously harm patients,” Dr. Karen Fruetel, vice-president Canadian Geriatrics Society, a member of Choosing Wisely Canada.“That’s why the Canadian Geriatrics Society is encouraging healthcare providers, patients and their caregivers to ‘think twice’ as part of the Choosing Wisely Canada campaign. We’re pleased to see that the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement is supporting teams to make evidence-informed decisions that improve patient care.”

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GATEWAYnews

Improvements needed, report says Frank Peebles Forestry practices by the Mackenzie Fibre Management Corporation are going well, except for a couple of points, according to a routine audit of by the BC Forest Practices Board.

The watchdog agency examined the corporation’s silviculture, fire protection, harvesting and road activities, which are all in compliance with forest practices legislation, but found two practices that could be improved, according to a report released Wednesday.

“While the majority of Mackenzie Fibre Management’s forest practiceswere sound, auditors did find that some improvements were required related to soil disturbance and operational planning,” said board chair Tim Ryan.“We are pleased that since the audit, the company has implemented soil disturbance training for logging supervisors, and developed a checklist and a stream classification field card to prevent these types of problems in the future.”

During the two-year audit period, the corporation harvested approximately 881,735 cubic metres of timber, primarily to salvage mountain pine beetle-infested wood.

The audit fieldwork took place from September 23 to 27, 2013.

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GATEWAYlife

All’s well that ends Wells

B

eneath my helmet, my eyes constantly scan the rocky and muddy trail ahead as the powerful four-wheeler chugs forward.

Following a row of ATVs in single file going northbound, my hands have a firm grip on the steering wheel as my right foot shifts from the accelerator pedal to the brake below on the Can-Am Commander XT. The terrain varies from easy, flat sections of forestry service roads, to single tracks of steep climbs and descents, veering left and right.

My passenger, Frank Muhle of Quesnel, the owner of the Commander XT – a side-by-side quad Andrea Johnson

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– laughs as I apologize for going over a bump on a route known as the Coq, a little too fast.

The quads, 25 in all, splash through muddy puddles in single file. Some shallow, others deep.

It’s an adrenaline rush.

Every now and again after successfully manoeuvering through a difficult technical section of boulders, fallen logs, and hairpin turns, I take the time to relax and loosen my grasp on the wheel.

To breathe in the fresh air and take in the stunning vistas beneath the bluebird sky.To take in the lush green forest stands on the mountains and colourful meadows below from a high point on the trail, or glimpse at a sparkling lake through the trees.

The lure of ATV riding was now beginning to make sense.

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GATEWAYlife

Cont’d from page 8 It’s the annual Prince George to Wells, B.C. ATV ride, a three-day excursion through the backcountry from July 25 to 27.

Organized by the Prince George ATV Club, the trip that includes a two-night stay in the District of Wells, just west of historic Barkerville, (and 74-kilometres east of Quesnel) attracted 25 ATV operators, including 10 women, as well as four passengers which included this Prince George Citizen reporter.

Participants spent the entire day on July 25 travelling the 154-kilometre PG to Wells route that’s accessed southeast of Prince George at the headquarters of the PG ATV Club and the PG Snowmobile Club on Scott Road, just off of Buckhorn Road.

July 26 featured an all-day ride in and around Yanks Peak east of Wells and Barkerville and the entire group returned to Prince George on the same 154-km route on July 27.

“It’s been a ride that’s been going on forever. It goes way back,” said PG ATV president George Hohnisch, who’s riding his own quad.

“It is such a beautiful weekend for a three-day trip,” added Randy Ellenchuk, a PG ATV club director as well as vice-president of the Tabor Mountain Recreation Society.“Whether winter or summer, it’s phenomenal.There’s excellent hospitality [in Wells] and it really is a fantastic destination.”

n All’s well that ends Wells

At 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 25, participants begin to gather outside the clubhouse. ATVs are loaded with extra orange jerry cans of fuel, food coolers, and backpacks for the three-day trip.

Some even have chain saws to deal with unexpected hazards on the trail, such as fallen trees or washed out areas.

While the forecast calls for sunshine with temperatures hovering in the high 20 degree Celsius range, everyone is clad in layers – waterproof rain pants over jeans, fleece and rain jackets over top of long-sleeve shirts.

One of the riders is 73-year-old Sam Thompson from Armstrong travelled the furthest to go on the ride. He met several PG ATV club enthusiasts during rides in Coalmont,Three Valley Gap and Summerland earlier in July.

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GATEWAYlife Cont’d from page 9 “I travel around with my quad camping alone and it’s great to see new country and trails I’ve never been on before,” said Thompson, who spent 50 years touring his motorcycle around Ireland and Australia.

After his wife died,Thompson made the move from Australia two years ago to Armstrong to be closer to his son. He decided on a life of hitching his travel trailer and quad to his truck and touring different parts of the province.“I made a big change,” he said.“I’m out exploring and being on an adventure. I don’t hunt or fish, but I see bears, moose and deer [while on my ATV].”

Other riders are retired foresters and tradesmen from Prince George and Quesnel, as well as nursing instructors from UNBC. The Prince George ATV Club is the largest in the province, boasting 198 members from around the region.

“We promote responsible riding,” said Hohnisch.“We’re not out there to rip up the environment. We pack in and pack

n All’s well that ends Wells out [our garbage, supplies] and also promote safety.”

Mud-bogging and riding on nondesignated trails is not allowed.

Hohnisch has spent the last couple years working with the Tabor Mountain Recreation Society, Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. and other branches of the provincial government improving and maintaining the trails to give not only ATV users, but other off-road users such as snowmobilers and horseback riders easier access to enjoy the backcountry.

With funding from Recreation Sites and Trails B.C., Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Regional District of Fraser Fort-George, trails were brushed back, drainage was improved, signage was installed, bridges were built to improve the trail system.

With the help of government funding, the PG to Wells connecting route was built in co-operation with the Wells Wheels ATV Club, the Wells Snowmobile Club, the PG ATV Club and the Prince George Snowmobile Club.

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GATEWAYlife Cont’d from page 10 “It’s definitely a worthwhile project,” said Hohnisch.“It employs people and assists Wells in its economy.The snowmobilers come across in the winter.

The Wells groups grooms the trails as far north as they can and Prince George grooms the trails as far south as they can.”

Friday morning after a safety briefing, the group splits into two, heads out onto the route going eastbound.Yours truly is a passenger in Muhle’s side-by-side, soaking up the atmosphere.

About 10 km in, all riders, in single file, come to a stop.Those of us in the back believe a fallen tree has blocked our path.

A closer look reveals two to three-metre wide stretch of the trail is washed out, exposing a culvert and a deep hole which make it temporarily impassable.

Riders up front quickly get to work, using fallen trees and branches to connect the two sides of the trail.

Eventually, with some skillful driving, the ATVs traverse the path and we’re on our way.

n All’s well that ends Wells Eventually as we head south, we reach Stony Lake Recreation Site for lunch and a welcome respite. Except for a few campers, we have the beach to ourselves as we take in the vast views of the surrounding forest and sparkling lake under warm, sunny skies.

As we dive into our lunch and snacks, riders begin to introduce ourselves and talk about past excursions.There’s a lot of laughter and chatter.

Continually digesting the scenery and the ride, I’m still grinning from ear-to-ear.

Soon, it’s back on the trail on what’s known as the Coq.The goal is to reach Wells by 4:30 p.m.

We continue southbound on the maze of trails and eventually make it to Wells along Highway 26 where we’re greeted

by Dianne Andreesen, co-owner of the Hubs Motel, our accommodations for the next two nights.

We’re dusty and grimy from the daylong ride and we’re all thankful for warm showers and comfy beds.

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GATEWAYlife

Cont’d from page 12 We’re also hungry. Andreesen and her husband also own Big H Halibut & Chips next door. A soft ice cream cone follows across the street at Frog in the Bog Gifts.

Sleep comes not a moment too soon.

Saturday, most of the ATV group is up early around 7 a.m. for breakfast the Northwoods Restaurant and fine-tuning their quads to spend the day riding around Yanks Peak trails, part of the Wells/ Barkerville Trails network.

Andreesen provides the group with a tasty snack – a huge bag full of homemade chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.

I choose to spend the day wandering around the historic town of Barkerville where English prospector Billy Barker first discovered gold in 1862.That discovery spearheaded a golden era in B.C. and helped shape the province.

After a day of riding in the mountains, the group returns and most, thanks to a shuttle from the Hubs Motel, go to Barkerville to take in the Theatre Royal live stage show. Others have dinner at the Bear’s Paw Cafe and Wells Hotel, just a short walk away.

Besides being a business owner, Andreesen is also past-president of the Wells Wheels ATV Club. She knows the economic benefits of having groups like the PG ATV Club and others visit the area.

n All’s well that ends Wells

“Being a tourism-based community, we rely heavily on outdoor enthusiasts to survive both summer and winter months,” she said.“Seeing B.C. by ATV and getting out for a weekend into the backcountry, is becoming increasingly popular; we have more and more riders every year.

“The Wells area has a lot to offer ATVers with our extensive trail systems, and as a business owner I have realized how having an ATV club would be a huge benefit to our Wells economy.”

Andreesen added the District of Wells supports any sport that contributes to the economic value of the town and ATVs do that.

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GATEWAYlife Cont’d from page 14 Sunday morning arrives under sunny and warm skies. It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to return to Prince George.

ATVs are packed and loaded with gear.

Andreesen receives hugs for the hospitality and hands out and homemade cookies for the road.

She provides an escort east down Highway 26 to our starting point and we head north along the 401 trail.

An hour later at the junction of the 401 and Coq trails, Muhle allows me to take the wheel of his XT Commander for the first time. I’m a rookie having never driven one before. I’m also tentative at first as we follow along in single file on the Coq trail.

But as I get used to the route and the four-wheeler, I gain more and more confidence as we make our way north for the remaining 130km trek.

After stops again at Stony Lake, Fish Lake and the Yamaha cabin in the Tabor Mountain Recreation area, we finally return to our headquarters on Scott Road.

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Tips • When riding in a group, try to find out the skill level of participants and adjust your ride accordingly.

• Carry a map of the area and go over your route before departing.

• Carry out a head count so you can determine if anyone is missing at check points.

• Pre-establish check points and ensure all operators are made aware of them.

• Always stop at trail intersections to ensure the operator behind you knows which direction to go.

• If possible, maintain visual contact with the rider in front of you, but do not tail gate them.

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GATEWAYlife

Cont’d from page 16 As ATVs are loaded onto trailers, we peel off a few layers as we wipe dust off our faces.We say our farewells.

“I’m so glad I made the trip,” said Thompson.“It’s good fellowship and I’ve had a lot of fun on the ride. I would definitely come back.”

I’m still grinning from ear to ear.

If you go: The PG to Wells trip is held annually every July. However a visitor’s map and guide is available from Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. that allows riders to travel it at any time in all four seasons.

Safety first. Helmets are mandatory and must be worn at all times. Riders must have a valid driver’s license.

Bring rain gear, (wear rain pants to avoid getting soaked going through large puddles); dust masks (a bandana to cover your mouth and nose will do; goggles also

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help in keeping dust out of your eyes); emergency equipment, fuel and food as required for the trip.

A GPS is also necessary.

For more information, visit www. pgatvclub.ca The District of Wells prides itself on being a destination for art, history and recreation.

Visitors can watch artists and artisans work in their studios and galleries or take in live theatre and concerts at the Sunset Theatre or Barkerville.

Where to stay: There are a variety of recreation sites that are available for camping on the northern portion of the route.

Hotels and motels are available in Wells: among them the Wells Hotel and the Hubs Motel.

For more information, visit www.wells. ca

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GATEWAYlife

ATVing ‘like a big family’

Andrea Johnson The Prince George ATV Club is one of 40 clubs in the province, with two more from Terrace and Fort Nelson about to come on board.

PG ATV Club member Jeff Mohr is in his third year as president of the ATV BC Association.With 2,700 members in B.C., it’s his job to work directly with groups for the betterment of ATVing and all outdoor activities including motorized sports.

“It’s all about safety, environmental stewardship and keeping the trails open to everybody,” said Mohr, a retired CN Rail employee.“We now have the opportunity to promote tourism which gets more people out of their towns and communities and getting them outdoors.

ATVing is also accessible and people who are less mobile can still ride and see things they wouldn’t be able to.”

Mohr and his wife Marlene fell in love in the off-road vehicle sport 10 years ago when Jeff’s brother lent them machines. “[On the rides],ATVing is a chance to get to know each other, it’s like a big family,” said Jeff.“We B.S., we laugh and we joke.

It’s just wonderful.”

Prior to the PG to Wells three-day ride, the Mohrs spent four-and-a half weeks on the road travelling to Coalmont for an ATV poker ride June 28; a point-to-point poker ride hosted by the Kootenay Rockies club near Cranbrook; a GPS poker ride at Three Valley Gap through the Rockies west of Revelstoke and the week-long ATV BC jamboree in Summerland from July 15 to 20.

“That’s the longest, single stretch we’ve ever done and we really enjoyed it,” said Jeff.“Ten groups did that stretch.”

The Prince George ATV Club hosted the ATV BC jamboree in August, 2011 and attracted 120 people from across the province, including Vancouver Island, as well as Alberta.

“We offered guided rides on three or four different trails that people could sign up for,” said PG ATV president George Hohnisch.“Some hadn’t been to Prince George before and some have returned since.”

The PG ATV Club is a huge supporter of the Wells Wheels ATV Club.The two groups worked closely two years ago to open the connecting trail from Prince George to Wells.

“We look forward to working on future trail projects with the Prince George

ATV Club,” said Wells Wheels ATV Club past-president Dianne Andreesen, adding the Wells club is in the early stages of developing a trail network.“Our goal is to create as many multi-user trails as possible, [it] will open up more opportunities for all user groups, to work together to build a more sustainable trail network.”

But there are challenges.The club’s biggest road block has been the ability to get the ATVs into town.

“But we are working closely with the Ministry of Recreation,Tourism & Sports, our local recreational groups and the District of Wells to create a trail that allows ATVs to access businesses in Wells and Barkerville,” said Andreesen.

The Prince George ATV club is also one of nine groups under the umbrella of the Tabor Mountain Recreation Society.

With 400 km of multi-use trails that are used for sports such as cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and ATVing,TMRS receives funding and donations in kind to improve, rehabilitate and maintain the existing network.

The trails are all on crown land in accordance to the Forest Practices Act. Among the gems TMRS and the PG ATV Club collaborated on was the construction of the Jack Kinsey Bridge built across the Yamaha water hole west of the Yamaha cabin that the PG Snowmobile Club uses in the winter.

Funding was supplied by Western Economic Diversification, the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, Recreation Sites and Trails B.C., DWB Consulting and the PG ATV Club.

The steel truss bridge was donated by Forbes Construction and took three PG ATV Club volunteers only three days to build in October, 2013.

Membership A yearly membership for the PG ATV club is $55 per person – $15 goes towards the club, while $40 goes to ATV BC.A family membership is available for $105 per year.

Anyone can also become a Friend of Tabor Mountain for $10.

Upcoming events The PG ATV Club’s next event is its annual poker ride Sunday, Sept. 7. Hands are available for $5 each.All proceeds go towards local trail improvements.

For information, visit www.pgatvclub.ca.

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GATEWAYhealth

Exercise with arthritis so you can break free from the pain

Canadians who suffer from arthritis are challenged with symptoms such as swollen, stiff or tender joints.These symptoms can be incapacitating, making even simple household tasks a real chore, let alone attempting a favourite sport or pastime. One might think that not exercising would seem to be a simple solution, but in fact, research reveals the opposite. Exercise can decrease the pain, increase overall fitness and flexibility, as well as improve your state of mind.

So how can you break free from the pain? According to Janet Yale, president and CEO of The Arthritis Society, exercise is one part of your arthritis treatment that you can control.“Exercising provides you with a chance to confront arthritis and reclaim activities the disease has made difficult for you - and even discover new ones.”

If you are not physically active or have never exercised before, it can seem

intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

Try adding 10 minutes of physical activity to your day and see how your body responds. As you adjust to the change, set goals for yourself so you can measure your improvement. Aim to gradually increase your goals by 10-minute increments every few days until you can reach a regular routine of being physically active for at least 60 minutes most days (including exercise as well as ordinary household, workplace and lifestyle activities that keep your body moving). Be sure to keep your doctor apprised of any changes in your routine or symptoms.

For those who are active and playing through their pain, there are additional solutions. A medication with long lasting relief, such as Aleve, can be appealing for those suffering from arthritis pain and general body pain, providing up to 12 hours of relief. www.newscanada.com

GATEWAYhealth

If you think you know cancer, think again Cancer isn’t always a matter of life and death.

Today, an increasing number of Canadians are living with the disease, but as a chronic condition and that can come with ongoing side effects.

“The fact is, 63 per cent of Canadian cancer patients live longer than five years after diagnosis, and if a patient survives past one year, that number rises to 81 per cent,” says Jackie Manthorne, president and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN).

But while survival rates are improving, many of us think that only 47 per cent of cancer patients survive longer than five years, according to a recent survey commissioned by CCSN.The reality is that cancer patients are living longer, but they can experience side effects – such as pain, low immunity, lymphedema, heart disease, bone loss, and arthritis – that can last for years.

The survey also showed that 70 per cent of respondents either don’t know how long the side effects last, or think they only last a few days, weeks, or months. However, these side effects can last for years and have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life.

“Canadians have great hope when it comes to finding a cure for cancer,” Manthorne continues.“In fact, 66 per cent of us believe that a cure will be found within a generation. But until that time, we need to continue to provide support for patients throughout their cancer journey – from diagnosis through to post-treatment side effects.”

Manthorne points out that because most of us are less aware of cancer as a chronic condition, the health care system is not responding to the shift in survival rates and doesn’t meet the need for better treatment and support for patients.

“The cancer treatment journey is radically different today from what it was even 15 years ago,” says Dr. Sandy Sehdev, medical oncologist at William Osler Health Centre in Brampton, Ont. “We’re starting to see that patients are living longer, which is promising, but it means that they will continue to be reliant on therapies to manage ongoing side effects and complications.”

With more education and awareness, we can take a step forward in helping cancer patients improve their quality of life throughout their journey. www.newscanada.com Source: Canadian Cancer Society’s Advisory Committee on Cancer Statistics. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2014.

Canadian Cancer Society. 2014: 59.

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GATEWAYgrill Combine kolbassa with garlic potatoes for a

taste sensation

Kolbassa pieces are the main ingredient in this simple, skillet dinner that is sure to become a family favourite.

Garlicky Potato and Kolbassa Skillet

Ingredients 15 ml (1 tbsp.) olive oil 1 small onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 large Yukon potatoes, diced into 1 cm (½ in.) pieces 1 pkg. 375g Kolbassa or 300g Simply Free Kolbassa halved lengthwise and thinly sliced 250 ml (1 cup) frozen, canned, or fresh corn kernels 125 ml (1/2 cup) roasted red or yellow peppers, chopped Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 30 ml (2 tbsp.) Italian parsley, chopped

Directions Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the onions and cook for about 3 minutes; add garlic and cook for one minute, then add the potatoes. Stir to coat

the potatoes with oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Cover with lid and cook for 5 minutes.

Add Kolbassa and stir. Cover again and cook for 3-4 more minutes. Once the potatoes are almost soft, add the roasted peppers and corn. Stir and continue cooking uncovered for 3-4 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Sprinkle with parsley before serving. Makes 6 servings.

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes www.newscanada.com

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GATEWAYbacktoschool www.newscanada.com

Don’t wait to talk to your children about

cyberbullying A new survey has found that most parents are waiting too long to sit down and discuss the issue of cyberbullying with their children.

The Protecting Canadian Families Online survey, conducted by Leger on behalf of Primus Telecommunications Canada, revealed that 72 per cent of parents say they had already spoken to their children about the dangers of traditional schoolyard bullying by the age of eight.

But when it came to discussing cyberbullying, 35 per cent of parents said they’d only just begun to discuss this issue with their children at that age.The online survey studied Canadian parents with children between the ages of eight and 16 who had Internet access in their homes. Cyberbullying involves the use of texts, emails and social networks to intimidate or embarrass others, or to spread harmful gossip. It can also include breaking into email accounts to send hurtful messages under an assumed identity, according to the national cyberbullying prevention organization PREVNet. As soon as a child can go online, parents should initiate a discussion about

online threats, says Brad Fisher, a Primus spokesman and online safety advocate.

“Our survey results send a strong signal that cyberbullying awareness and prevention must become a top priority for parents as soon as their child has access to the internet − whether it’s through a family computer, a smart phone or even a gaming console,” he cautions.

“With the pervasiveness of social media and texting on cellphones and other devices, the need for education on this issue is more important than ever to help protect families online.”

The survey also found that most parents — 89 per cent — believed their children would tell them if someone was bullying them online. Research from PREVNet, however, indicates that only eight per cent of teens actually do speak up about incidents of cyberbullying.

“Most children don’t say anything because they don’t think their parents will know what to do, or how to help them,” says Dr. Wendy Craig, PREVNet’s scientific co-director.“But organizations like ours are dedicated to educating parents on this important issue and to providing them with the resources they will need to protect their families online.”

GATEWAYbacktoschool

Try these easy-make 10-minute lunches

For many parents mornings are chaotic. With so much going on, it can be difficult to prepare nutritious meals for kids’ lunches.The following meals can be made in 10 minutes or less:

Maple Turkey Sandwich Ingredients 2 tsp (10ml) mayonnaise 2 tsp (10ml) Dijon mustard 2 slices Quinoa and Flax Bread 3 slices Free From Maple Turkey 1 slice Swiss cheese 2 slices tomato 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper 1 piece green leaf lettuce

Instructions In small bowl, stir together mayonnaise and Dijon until combined. Spread mayonnaise mixture evenly over both slices of bread. Arrange turkey on one of the bread slices; top with cheese, tomatoes, pepper and lettuce. Place other bread slice on top and secure with four skewers or long toothpicks. Cut sandwich into four quarters diagonally.

Remember to include a cold source like a frozen juice box if you’re packing this sandwich in a lunchbox.

Thin Bagel BLT with Everything Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese Ingredients 8 slices Naturally Smoked Bacon Rounds 4 thin bagels 4 slices large tomato 4 iceberg lettuce leaves 2/3 cup (150 ml) Greek Yogurt Everything Bagel Cream Cheese

Instructions Place bacon in large cold frying pan.

Heat slices over medium-low heat, turning frequently, for six to eight minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Toast bagel halves; arrange open-face on work surface. Spread cream cheese over each bagel half. Place two slices of bacon on each of the four bagel bottoms; top each with a slice of tomato and finish with a lettuce leaf. Sandwich together with bagel tops; secure each with two toothpicks. Cut in half to serve. This recipe makes enough to serve four people so it’s a great lunch option for the whole family. www.newscanada.com

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GATEWAYbacktoschool

Top 10 reasons to

get a tablet

for back to school So your parents still won’t buy you a tablet for back to school? Have no fear, here we present the following list of the top 10 reasons why every student should be totin’ a tablet this fall. Our top pick?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S. At just 6.6 mm thick, this is the thinnest Samsung tablet yet and the Super AMOLED screen is truly revolutionary.

1. Make it your cafeteria companion – For those times when you can’t sit with a group of friends in the cafeteria – maybe because they couldn’t get up in time for breakfast -- make sure you bring your tablet to the mess hall so you can roll some Game of Thrones over a bowl of Lucky Charms.

2. Calling your mother – Just because you’re having the time of your life away from home, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t call your mother sometimes. So pick a video calling application and check in on the home front. Call your mom. Seriously, she worries.

3. Taking notes in class – Tablets are light, thin and easy to carry, which makes them the perfect notepad for small seminar rooms and tiny lecture desks whether you’re taking notes via the touchscreen or with an add-on keyboard.

4. Textbooks – More and more universities are moving to digital textbooks, which are best enjoyed on a tablet. Digital textbooks are great because they’re easier to carry than their physical counterparts and you won’t feel ripped off when you can’t sell a $90 Physics book back to the campus bookstore for $6 at the end of the year.

5. Take it with you to the gym – Let’s face it, you’re going to need to spend some serious time on the treadmill if you’re going to avoid the dreaded Frosh 15. So bring your tablet, and catch up on reruns of Batman:The Animated Series

while you feel the burn.

6. Bus trips back and forth - If you’ve decided to go to university out of town, you’re going to have some form of commute, whether it’s on a bus, train or plane.The good news is that a tablet can help you pass the time, while you update social media, play games or get some studying done.The bad thing is it can’t help you sit next to the cute guy three rows up.

7, Checking up on your friends – Chances are, most of your high school friends wound up at different universities.

Thankfully for you, there’s this thing called Facebook and you can use your tablet to keep tabs on everyone from your hometown while at the same time showing them all the fun you’re having.

8. Sharing stuff for presentations – Group work is the bane of most university student’s very existence.

But if you’re the group member with a tablet, not only can you design killer presentations using the touchscreen, you can immediately share them with your group mates via Samsung’s e-meeting technology.

9. Keep everything on it, then you can cram before an exam – The tablet can’t make you study or get up for that 8:30 class on Friday, but it can hold all your notes, textbooks and course work all in a device with great battery life, so when you need to spend all night studying at the library, your tablet won’t let you down.

10. It isn’t just a tablet - Don’t spend your hard earned money on things like an alarm clock, speakers or calculator, your tablet has everything you need it’s guaranteed that it will become your number one BFF at school. www.newscanada.com

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GATEWAYbacktoschool

What’s in your backpack?

Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or a last year of high school, parents and students know what they need in their backpacks for September. For many teachers, the symbolic backpack requires more than a pencil and paper.

Across Canada, teachers, working with limited budgets, have wish lists of what they would add to their classroom supplies.

Wish: A stationary bike

Wish: Lego

A Vancouver classroom serves vulnerable students, helping them increase their social, emotional, and academic development.

Their teacher, Ms. Harper, believes that improving individual fitness can be a route to developing self-confidence, resiliency, and desire to stay in school.

She says her 10 students would benefit from having an exercise bike in the classroom for two reasons. Used spontaneously in short bursts, it would increase attention, focus and productivity in the class. Over time, it would increase fitness levels, particularly valuable to students reluctant to join gym class.

A bike is not in the school budget.

Mrs. Shipton, an elementary teacher in Toronto wants to add a girl’s Lego club to her school to nurture design and innovation among young students. She expects the club to also promote friendship, an appreciation of differences and a celebration of unique talents.

To run a Lego club, she needs Lego.

Wish: Butterfly larvae Mrs. Sekhon in Surrey, B.C. teaches in the primary classes. She knew that adding butterfly larvae would be a great addition to her class.“We have a diverse group of students who love playing outdoors and exploring nature. We have many English language learner students who have joined

us recently and this is a great hands-on way to learning about nature, life cycles and basic needs of local animals, without a language barrier.”

Each teacher has posted her “wish” on MyClassNeeds.ca, a registered Canadian charity that helps connect deserving kindergarten to grade 12 classroom projects in publicly-funded schools with interested donors through a crowdfunding website.

Supporters have rallied behind the Surrey project and Mrs. Sekhon’s students will watch the transformation from larvae to butterflies this year.

You can help as well at go to MyClassNeeds.ca. www.newscanada.com

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