LACAA SUMMER NEW SLE TTE R 2 01 2
LACAA SUMMER NEWSLETTER
JULY EDITION 2012 NEWSLETTER EDITOR Heather Beaudette Pinevalley.activitycord@shaw.ca
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE– DESIN KOHLER modation standards audit so good luck to everyone with that. I know everyone is very busy with outings and activities outside, while we can enjoy it. I would like everyone to think about the experiences that make your job what it is. What lessons have you learned that would help people understand what it is that a Recreation Coordinator does? If this finds you taking holiday I hope you have a great time and it recharges you for the months ahead. I don’t know about you guys but I’m going Hello everyone and welcome to summer at last. I hope this finds you until Christmas now. So take the time to recharge your battery and don’t forall enjoying the nice days with your get to stop and smell the roses. Enresidents putting what we have courage your residents to do the same. learned about gardening and its This is the time of year we like to do a benefits to good use. few fundraisers. This year we have got I would just like to thank everyone for a wonderful convention in April it a dunk tank and are going to sell hot was a pleasure to get to know you all dogs and soda during our August pabetter, you are the reason I know that rade day. If you’re wondering where you can get a dunk tank I encourage everyone in our Lodges is so well you to check your local organizations. taken care of. It makes me smile I know our fire department has one that when someone I know mentions a they rent out for a donation. RememLodge and how nice it is there and I ber to use as many of your local busiget to say that I know the Activity nesses as possible. I know fundraising Coordinator at that Lodge. You are can be difficult but stick with it you’ll all so special in every single way. find so many resources close to home. Thank you for being you and for everything you do. From all of us on the Executive board Well I know there are a few of us who are getting ready for our accom- at LACAA have a GREAT SUMMER!
LACAA EXECUTIVE 2012—2013 PRESIDENT Desin Kohler desinkohler@swinanton.ca VICE PRESIDENT Pernille Nielsen nellieni@telus.net SECRETARY Leahn Losey leahn_meschelle@live.ca TREASURER Lori DaCosta ldacosta@gss.org COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Heather Beaudette Pinevalley.activitycord@shaw.ca DIRECTOR AT LARGE Marcel Augey marcel.augey@gmail.com
Inside this issue: INTERLODGE PICNIC
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YOUR LIBRARY
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PHYSICAL
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EMOTIONAL
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MENTAL
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SOCIAL
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SPIRITUAL.
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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
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LACAA SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2012 LACAA Northern & Southern Professional Days Stay tuned for more information on these fun filled days, I know the organizers are working hard to make these events amazing for all of us. The Northern Professional Day is being put on by the fantastic GEF and tentatively scheduled September 28th. The Southern Professional Day is being put on by the marvelous Marcel and his team October 12th in Drumheller. E-mails will go out to everyone when all things are finalized.
Inter-lodge Picnic Come one come all to Stoney Lake by Elk Point for an Inter-lodge Picnic
Wednesday, August 15th Arrival
10:30am to 11:30am
BBQ Lunch 11:30am to 1pm $5.00/person (Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Salad) Entertainment
1:00pm to 2:30pm
snack to follow
Contact Kathy 780-603-8495 or recreation@thcounty.ab.ca RSVP by AUGUST 1, 2012 if your lodge plans to attend
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LACAA SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2012 BOOK REVIEW—YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
FIND THOSE NEW SPARKS THAT CREATE A FLAME OF PARTICIPATION
Have you ever found yourself stuck with blank spaces in your calendar or have that one resident that you haven’t figured out how to reach? Call your local library! In my experience the staff in Hinton have created a mini library in my Lodge filled with puzzles, books on CD with CD player and ear phones, large print books and British magazines and newsprint.
They also come once every quarter with a slide projector and a recent traveler that has already shared at the library and is now willing to create an armchair travel experience at my Lodge. They have staff that love the written word so much that if a resident was willing or in need they would come and read the resident’s book of choice with them.
Here in Hinton we have residents that are proud of their history and no museum, but we have a library that will create a display of historical local events so that our community can view how far we have come and what we learned along the way. Lovin’ the Library! HB
EDITORS NOTES
Thank you so much to all of you for trusting me with the task of communication. I think that it is only when trying to create a newsletter
that will be interesting and helpful to so many unique and talented people that the adage “communication is the first thing to break down” becomes my reality. When reading this please do not think that you have an editor that leads such an amazing life that the news seems to be all about her life, please realize that if you would like to see something in the newsletter I would create you your own section, gladly!! The next edition is only three months away I am excited to see what your worlds have that needs to be shared with our LACAA world. Until then I will continue my quest to break the habit of loving cookies and live up to Aristotle’s wish when he says “Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” Sincerely, Heather ~Editor~ Page 3
LACAA SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2012 PHYSICAL Silver Foxes for Cancer Research
On behalf of the Terry Fox Foundation, it is Laura Jonson’s pleasure to invite you to host your very own “Silver Fox Run” at your establishment to help raise money for cancer research. With the generous support of past donors , the Foundation has raised over $600 million for cancer research. At this time they are excitedly preparing for the 2012 Terry Fox Run, which is to be held Sunday, September 16, 2012. This is a great time to plan for a “Silver Fox Run” and a wonderful way for our older supporters to stay involved with The Terry Fox Foundation, whether it be a short walk, a luncheon or tea by donation, or a bake sale by donation. If this date does not work for your schedule we happily encourage you to choose a day that works best for you. Every year, thousands of supporters participate in the Terry Fox Run, and this is one more way to help continue Terry’s dream and give everyone the opportunity to support cancer research. Everyone can make a difference and Laura’s Team would love to have you join them. Promotional posters and pledge sheets are provided free of charge to enhance your “Silver Fox Run”. To register, you may feel free to call in to the provincial office toll-free at 1-888-836-9786. (Heather Beaudette at 780-865-7366 has a registration form that can be faxed) Please don’t hesitate to contact Laura and her team should you have any questions in regards to your event, local run or would like some more information on the Foundation. Sincerely, Laura Jonson, Team & Event Development
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR MENU TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER Avocados—good for the liver Broccoli and Cabbage combat Breast Cancer Carrots (they are the champs) fight most cancers Figs—curtail the appetite helpful in not getting FAT!
Flax—fighter of heart disease Grapes (red ones) help slow the growth of tumors Many more, but start with those
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LACAA SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2012 EMOTIONAL EMOTIONAL CHANGES AND DEMENTIA Although not all people with Dementia show changes in emotion, many do feel depressed, anxious, frustrated, fearful, helpless, angry or suspicious. These feelings may be subtle and short term. Or, they may be widespread and hard to manage. All of this may change as the illness changes. Brain damage brought about by the illness often leads to loss of control of emotions. The person may not be able to express feelings in socially acceptable ways. This is not deliberate. Blame the illness not the person. If a sudden change in emotion occurs, the doctor needs to be made aware. The doctor and medical team can look for any reversible causes such as an acute illness, injury, or side effects of medicines. Outside factors such as stress, fatigue and change in routine or environment should be explored
EMOTIONAL—DEPRESSION IS NOT A NORMAL PART OF AGING... It can occur in persons with Alzheimer's Disease or other types of Dementia. Both depression and dementia can cause a decline in intellect. Depression can be treated. If the depression improves with treatment, the person with have a better quality of life and will be better able to cope with losses caused by the illness.
Physical changes:
The diagnosis of depression needs to be made by a medical doctor or a mental health expert such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. The symptoms of depression may include:
Bored
Decreased energy Change in appetite Altered sleep habits Mood changes: Constant Sadness Feeling empty Behavior changes: Withdrawal Being restless irritability Page 5
LACAA SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2012 MENTAL LIMITING THE EFFECTS of NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTS by Jack Canfield Acknowledge your Reality When we believe that we are being forced to tolerate a negative environment, such as a spouse (resident) who constantly complains or working for a company whose values don’t match your own, we can fell trapped and hopeless. The illusion of being subjected to negativity against our will can increase stress and depress our mood. To regain a sense of control, it’s important to acknowledge that you do have a choice in every situation. You may feel that you can’t afford to quit your job because the pay and benefits are too good and the job market is too unstable. Instead of bemoaning the fact that you’re trapped in a job you don’t like, acknowledge that you do have the choice of quitting.. Instead , you are choosing to keep your job, because you enjoy the stable pay and benefits that it brings. This simple reframing of your situation will erase your stress and make you feel more in control. When you feel negative judgments arising, don’t resist them. Remember , what we resist, persists, instead, acknowledge and embrace your feelings. Only by doing so will you be able to progress to the point of letting negative feelings and judgments go. Journaling is another excellent way to release your feelings. At the end of the day, pour out all your negative feelings and thoughts onto paper. Use the Total Truth process described in The Success Principles to ensure that you’ve fully excavated your feelings about troublesome situations. Negative feelings are like weeds, if you don’t fully extract them (e.g. pull out the roots) they will come back. If you’d like , burn your journal pages or letters that you write.
MENTAL— ADD TO YOUR ENVIRONMENT There may be situations where you are unable to control and environment. However, that does not mean that you should give up completely. Look again to see what small steps you might be able to take to create a more nurturing supportive environment.
For example, if your office culture tends to be negative, hang motivational signs in your work area or select a picture for your computer screen saver that uplifts and relaxes you. Take a quick walk a t lunchtime to reconnect with nature, or close your office door
for a few minutes of breathing and meditation rather than gossiping over a cup of coffee.
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LACAA SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2012 SOCIAL FIND YOUR FAVOURITE WELLINGTON”S and START STOMPING
To all Coordinators...Book a GUMBOOT DANCE WORKSHOP! A unique and cultural experience that brakes cultural barriers AND contributes to their level of confidence, team work and creativity! Over 10000 people So far From Vancouver to Halifax have experienced GUMBOOT DANCE! Join our next tour scheduled between SEPTEMBER and DECEMBER 2012 Vancouver Sept. 17th—21st Edmonton Sept. 24th– 28th Saskatchewan October 22nd—26th Toronto November 5th—9th If you would like to include your city , Call TODAY
1-800-473-4318 info@justaissi.com www.justaissi.com
WHERE WOULD YOU TAKE YOUR PICNIC BASKET? We are taking ours to Brule... I am fortunate to have many of my residents come from Brule and now I get to see it. These residents are talented themselves (gold medal winners in Senior’s Games) and have family that are local and national Juno award winning talents.
In my picnic basket I am bringing my camera, my cowboy boots, my dancing shoes and some of the best sandwiches, snacks and desserts in Hinton. The day will include songs and games, horse rides and viewing the famous Ukrainian Egg wall done by Mary. So are you ready? Get picnic– ing!! Page 7
LACAA SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2012 SPIRITUAL– with MAX LUCADO HOW TO SURVIVE THIS STORM On January 12, 1888 a blizzard roared out of the skies of Canada and fell upon the Northern Plains of the United States. People of Montana, the Dakotas, and Nebraska felt the temperature drop 18 degrees in just three minutes. It kept falling, the wind kept howling, and the snow kept blowing. And within hours, a relatively warm winter’s day became a frozen siege that took the lives of at least 250 people. The air was so thick with crystals that people couldn’t breathe. Visibility was so poor that people couldn’t see their hands in front of their faces . Meteorologists call this zero/zero visibility, A person can’t see up or horizontally. As a result , a woman near Sioux Falls froze to death with her key in her hand just steps from her door. A husband and a wife died while walking in circles past each other in their farmyard. Most of the people who died, did so because they simply couldn’t find their way out of the storm. The ones who survived relied upon bearings and markers to show them the way. Like Mr. Cotton, the schoolteacher, and the two boys Andreas and Johann Graber. They set out from the schoolhouse in the direction of the Graber homestead. The wind laced needles of snow in their eyes. The drifts pulled on their feet. The whiteness covered the roads and trails. Soon they realized they had no idea where to go. Then the air cleared, for just a moment, and they spotted a row of trees. The boys recognized them as the fruit and nut saplings their father had planted. The trees lined a path from their front porch. If they could move from tree to tree, they would be home. Maybe that is what you need. The sudden storm has left you blind, disoriented. Do you need a series of markers to guide you home? Make one. Through the years I have found this question a good one ask in times of crisis. “what do you still have that no one can take?” Granted, the storms can take much, but they can’t take all. So, right in the midst of the snowstorm, (ER, Jail, bankruptcy, family issues), make your list. (Max’s list) The promise of heaven A family (spouse) who cares for me A God who knows me God’s word to guide me
Make the list; then, like the boys in the blizzard, let it lead you to a safe place.
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LACAA SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2012 LACAA MISSION STATEMENT PURPOSE OF LAC AA To promote recreation services as essential services within the lodge foundation system in that the meaningful activities and social interaction are vital to maintaining the overall well being and contentment of foundation residents. -by increasing the quality of life for the residents. -by acting as a support group and resource bank to its members. -by acting as a communication network to Lodge Activity Coordinators of Alberta. -by sponsoring an annual convention. -by enhancing the education of Lodge Activity Coordinators
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE—HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
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