Wise Magazine by Lindsay Deschamps

C E L E B R AT I N G W O M E N O V E R 6 0

MAGAZINE

jeans

find your perfect pair

your best style yet

AZINE

get inspired!

beauty tips for aging skin

condo living downsizing your life

your guide to gorgeous

Table of contents

Model, Ann Busby on the beach Peurto Plata, Dominican

Beauty 4 Beauty Tips 5 make up bag 6 The Gray Hair Bible 9 Beauty Bombshell 17 Tips from a Hairdresser my grandma, Anne Pierce

19 Your Skincare Routine

Food 22 Lemon Tart 23 Blueberry CrĂ¨me Brule 26 Maple Pecan Cookies 27 Coffee Cake 29 Healthy Eating On locatio

Travel

Fashion

31 Last Days of the Stewardess

43 Play in the Jean Pool

36 Top 10 Travel Essentials

49 Some Like it Hot

37 Travel Buddies

53 Fancy Footwear

39 China: Why you should visit

57 Call your Manicurist

41 Travel Bucket List

61 Glam Gram 67 Refresh Your Dress 72 Dress to Impress

Living 76 Benefits of Yoga 77 Condo Living 80 The Hot List 81 Health and Vitality Coach A special thank you to:

83 The Good Samaritan

My grandmother, Anne Pierce for inspiring me Sandra Deschamps for always supporting me Eunice Dolman for all her help and many connections And all the inspirational women that helped me to create this piece of work-Linda Livingstone, Ann Busby, Jane Chisholm, Trudy Loucks Kesser, Cathy Watier, Nancy Leppik, Penny Watier, Lauren Locke, Karen Pierce and Suzanne Benoit

Editor’s note Welcome to the first issue of Wise Magazine. This began as a conversation that started between my grandmother and myself discussing the perils of aging and the challenges of wanting to look great but not having the advice readily available to women over sixty. It was with this realization of the lack in the market, I was determined to create a source of inspiration, advice and escape. These pages aren’t filled with a list of a million anti-aging products and myths but with real, beautiful, fashionable and interesting women. Youth has been considered through the ages the epitome of beauty- in this issue we wish to prove that beauty and happiness are not defined by age. More than ever, older women are embracing fashion and beauty and taking inspiration from “mature” celebrities like Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren to name a few. There is a grace and beauty that comes with age and we want you to appreciate it and own it!

“

Lindsay Deschamps editor and chief

Style is a state of mind, it has no concept of age or time -- it is simply a state of being.

1 | Wise Magazine

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beauty

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Joy is the best makeup.

beauty | tips

beautytips by Suzanne Benoit, professional make up artist

At this time in our lives, the words we want to keep in mind are: Simple, Soft, Elegant. Avoid ‘complication’, as it can be a source of concern and the less concerned you are about your look, the freer you are to be relaxed, smooth, carefree and after all, there is nothing more seductive than feeling comfortable with yourself ! the base We need to look at colour and definition in the makeup. The colour of your foundation must be true to your own colouring. Goes without saying, right?! Try to make this important choice in real daylight. Walk your face outside with a mirror if you must. This colour must be in tune with that of your neck, the skin in front of your ears and the inside of your wrist. Also, because we’ve probably acquired certain ‘spots’, ‘stains’, broken capillaries or souvenirs of life I call them; there is a need for a certain amount of coverage in the foundation. If any of these marks are very strong, a good concealer can work magic as the pigment in concealer is more dense than a foundation. cheeks As a make up artist I always prefer to put this cream colour under the foundation so that it becomes even more subtle. A soft peachy tone will flatter any skin tone. You can use a swipe of this colour over the eye area at the same time to ‘brighten up’ the eye. eyes If your hair is coloured, a soft beige or taupe shade on the eyelid, a pretty brown in the orbital area (if the space is there) and you’re away. If you’d like a touch more colour on the lid, that cheek colour you used will do the trick. There is not only harmony to the look but, a little ‘zip’ to the whole face. For natural grey or white hair, silvers and cooler tones look better on the eyes. Dark blue tinted mas-

cara can also help brighten and widen eyes. The Brow While most of our god-given contours are dissolving and paling before our disbelieving eyes, it’s only smart to figure out how we are going to recover and maintain these elements. There are wonderful choices of products and techniques to revive a fleeting brow. From powder or cream and a good angled brush; pencil and brow brush to a branch of ‘tattooing’ (see a very good technician!) brows can also be tinted (which doesn’t last very long), as can the lashes, which I highly recommend- a lash tint can last up to 6 weeks. It’s worth seeing a professional for a proper brow shaping and counsel. eyeLINER If you are adept, by all means use a liner…..try a dark brown or gray rather than black for a softer look. Liquid eyeliner requires a steady hand that not all of us have, instead you can opt for a soft liner that has the look of liquid eyeliner and avoids the inconsistencies and difficulties of the pencil eyeliner. If NOT adept, a beautiful look can be achieved by first curling the lashes (the most excellent tool is the Shu Uemura) then gliding a taupe pencil along the upper lid under the lashline, and now applying a dark brown mascara. These dark brown shades I mention are so much more ‘sympathetic’ to an older eye area and flattering to all eye colours. Plus, there is a more ‘velvet-y’ look to the eye. LIPS How many women are afraid of a strong colour on the lips?! Many, many!!! Lose your fear and just go for it, a real colour speaks volumes. It’s powerful and therefore attractive! But it must be wonderfully well applied. A beautiful liner colour pencil will give you back a clearly Wise Magazine | 4

beauty | tips

defined outline and keep your lipstick from ‘bleeding’. I like to powder this outline on an older lip as this will seal the colour in even more. You will get a nice clean outline if you refine everything with a brush. Again, it is worth the time and the money to consult a professional, you will come away feeling masterful and confident with your skills. COMMON MISTAKES Ladies do not get ‘stuck’ in an era-that moment when you were at your peak, when you were ‘hot’. Take an honest look, then look around. A truly ‘chic’, elegant look usually is dead simple! Now, here’s a note that I cannot leave out - for the

love of all that is sacred - throw out anything sparkly or shiny! Goopy or shiny stuff on your lips is adding nothing despite what the advertising says! If lips are feeling dry, Vaseline still works or Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Crème. Remember sparkly stuff on the eyelids belongs to 18 year olds, opt for a shimmer instead which is more elegant. Good products that will give you the result you want need not cost a fortune. Your best source of information is a freelance make-up artist as they have tried ‘em all. They know what works and what will work for you.

BY Tayna Burr

my grandmother’s make up bag

Time Zone Line & Wrinkle Reducing Creme SPF 15 What Estee Lauder say: 'Make younger-looking skin a reality. For a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles and to reclaim the smoother, more radiant, fresher-looking skin

you want. Our exclusive skin revitalising technologies give you the more youthful looking appearance you remember so well.' My Nanny says this face cream gives her just the right amount of hydration and makes her skin feel wonderfully smooth. It also has an SPF in which is so important for keeping your skin looking young. Nanny uses this morning and night after cleansing and toning.

Estee Lauder Signature lip-

Futurist Foundation Nanny loves this foundation

and

stick Hydra Lustre Nanny loves to wear this formula of lipstick from Estee Lauder as it hydrates her lips but also lasts a good few hours - she hates having to touch up her makeup! Nanny loves to wear the colour Rich Rose for everyday and Sunset Coral for special occasions. She finds it very important for the lipstick to have enough colour and not be too pale or else it will not be flattering.

has used it for years. She smooths this onto her skin using her fingertips after moisturising each morning and finds the light silky formula makes her skin look glowing and even toned.

Estee Lauder Signature Satin Creme Blush What Estee Lauder say : Smooths on as a creme, finishes as a luminous powder. Sculpts, highlights, adds dimension. Enhances the skin’s healthy glow with a

beautiful soft shimmer. Buildable, extended-wear colour stays true. Won’t streak or settle into fine lines. Nanny prefers to use a cream as it looks more natural and gives her skin radiance.

5 | Wise Magazine

The

beauty | gray bible

GrayHair Bible From the October 2007 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

beauty | gray bible

What do you do when you see your first gray hair? Do you pluck it? Ignore it? Discreetly adjust your part—the way you might surreptitiously slide a chair over a slender imperfection in a rug? And when the gray starts coming in fast and furious: Do you dye, highlight, or throw up your hands and recklessly let it happen in a fit of gray abandon? Since many people by the age of 50 have started to go gray, a quick glance around at the midlifers you know will tell you that in an effort to preserve a youthful look, most are choosing to dye. But a growing number of women—courageous, rebellious, or just exhausted by the tedium of coloring—are going brazenly, vividly gray. Because we take great pleasure in helping women look as terrific as possible, we found a handful who had decided to let their gray (or silver or white or salt-andpepper) come in naturally (though one weaves blonde through her gray; another, black); they all needed some guidance about amping up their color and style. Might that brazen route be right for you? "Gray or white hair tends to look best with pink, olive, and dark complexions," says Lisa Chiccine, a stylist and owner of the Lisa Chiccine Salon. "If you're sallow or very pale, you'll probably look washed-out and should consider highlights or lowlights," she says. Brown hair that looks mousy as the gray comes in can be brightened and enriched by weaving in highlights and lowlights of honey, tortoiseshell, or mahogany. Another good option if you're just starting to go gray is to use a vegetable dye or a semi-permanent glaze. Both will stain a lot of the gray, and when the color starts to fade, you won't have a root line, says Chiccine. If your gray comes in wiry, it's because it's dry, so use a weekly deep conditioner (such as Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment or Philip Kingsley Elasticizer) to moisturize and calm it down. To counteract any yellow tones, get a violet-based gloss at the salon every six to eight weeks; it coats the hair and gives it shine, says Mikael Padilla, celebrity colorist for Wella Professionals in Los Angeles. Go easy with the powder When you've gone gray, or white, or salt-and-pepper, your skin can look washed-out and dull. So use a luminizing, moisturizing foundation, and apply powder only where you absolutely need it, says New York City 7| Wise Magazine

makeup artist Mally Roncal. Wear blush It makes every complexion more vibrant, says Roncal. If you're fair skinned, choose a light English rose; medium or olive, choose a bright peony; and if you're dark complexioned, choose a rich, candy pink. Sweep the blush onto the apples of your cheeks for an instantly brightening effect. Line your lips As you mature, lips lose their natural contour. Restore it by tracing your lips with a nude lip liner before applying gloss or lipstick. Pick a rich lipcolor Try juicy-looking lipcolors in pink, berry, peach, or apricot tones. (Avoid nudes and browns—they can look muddy.) Choose a color a few shades more intense than your natural lip tone. Brighten up your eyes Sweep a wash of linen-colored shadow onto your lids (this pale color reflects more light than a dark, smoky one), thicken the lashline with a stroke of liner, curl your lashes, and apply two coats of mascara. If your lashes are sparse, use a lash primer before mascara; the primer conditions and coats the lashes, making them look thicker, says Lisa Garner (the New York City makeup artist who did the makeup for this story). If black mascara looks harsh, try a brown or navy. Drag the wand outward and upward at the same time—your eyes will appear wider, and you'll look more awake. Forget basic black The stark contrast between jet black eyeliner and gray hair is more jarring than dramatic. So choose liners in softer, lava-like shades such as bronze and deep plum, says New York City makeup artist Trish McEvoy. Pay attention to your brows Fill in sparse brows with a pencil. If you're fair and your brows are light, choose a light to medium taupe shade; if you're olive complexioned, and your brows are dark, try a deep, cool brown. For silver or salt-and-pepper brows, use a blue-gray pencil, says Eliza Petrescu, expert at the Exhale Spa. And since brows lose their "tails" as you age, extend them in wispy strokes toward your temples.

beauty | gray bible

beauty | bombshell

beauty

bombshell Photography by lindsay deschamps model : Jane chisholm

lunch with the girls

beauty | bombshell

This natural but put together look is perfect for lunch with your girlfriends or other daytime fun. Apply a base foundation (if you find foundation too thick, opt for tinted moisturizer) to even out your complexion and add a beautiful healthy glow. Dust your eyelids in a taupe shadow and lightly apply a dark brown, black or grey liner depending on your colouring. Apply two coats of mascara and finish off the look with pink lipstick a shade darker than your natural lip colour. WE USED: Armani Face Fabric Foundation, Armani black eyeliner #4, Armani mascara Eyes to Kill in Black, Armani lipstick in #4, MAC eyeshadow in Smokey Topaz and for added shape, MAC blush in Copper tone.

Wise Magazine | 10

beauty | bombshell

DINNER Date Looking to impress? This look is a show stopper for gray hair women. Apply a base foundation and dust a little blush on the cheeks. Dust eyelids in a light gray shadow and apply a purple shadow to the creases. Apply two coats of mascara and a sheer light pink gloss to your lips. WE USED: Armani Face Fabric Foundation, Armani mascara Eyes to Kill in Black Sephora eyeshadow in Gray, Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Oreal eyeshadow in Plum Royale, Armani lipstick in #516, Clarins blush in Duo Soleil #01

11 | Wise Magazine

beauty | bombshell

Cocktail Party This classic look is perfect for a party and great for getting attention.

Apply a base foundation and

blush to the cheeks. Apply a gray shadow close to the lash line and apply mascara. Use a lip pencil to line your lips then apply lipstick. Add a sheer gloss if desired. WE USED: Armani Face Fabric Foundation, Armani mascara Eyes to Kill in Black, Armani lipstick in #8, Lancome eyeshadow in Pewter grey

Wise Magazine | 14

beauty | bombshell

Black Tie Perfect for the fanciest of parties; this look says elegant. Draw the attention to your eyes and away from other insecurities. Apply base foundation and blush. Dust shimmer charcoal eye shadow on to lids and smudge highlighter along brow bone and in the inner corners of the eyelid. Last apply mascara and peach colour lipstick and gloss. WE USED: Armani Face Fabric Foundation, Armani mascara Eyes to Kill in Black, Rimmel lipstick in Crush, Gosh Highlighter, Armani gloss #218, Joe Fresh eyeshadow in Charcoal

15| Wise Magazine

beauty | hair tips

The Pro: Eunice Dolman, owner and

hairstylist at Beachcomber Hair Salon

Tips from a hairdresser When it comes to hair, society expects you to look frumpy. Women come in time after time to hair salons and say that they think they should get a short permed cut (the poodle look) but face it, it just isn’t that flattering on most women. With the rise of glamourous older celebrities in the spotlight we are seeing more and more examples of how older woman can still look great and don’t have to look dated. best styles for you The best look are cuts that soften the face. The best cut is around shoulder length on most women although there are exceptions. Side parts are great for most faces, they aren’t as harsh a look as the middle part and are alot more flattering on mature faces. Soft side bangs are also very popular in the celebrity world and for a lot of clients. They draw attention to the eyes and the cheek bones and away from loose skin around the neck. Also straight bangs or side bangs do an excellent job at hiding wrinkles on the forehead. Bangs that go straight across can work really well for older clients but make 17 | Wise Magazine

sure they are soft not harsh bangs because blunt angles can really age you. COLOURED VS LETTING YOUR HAIR GO AU NATUREL Continuing to dye the grays well into your sixties is perfectly acceptable and is important for many women but don’t think you’re fooling anyone. Instead opt to accept that your complexion and hair colour are changing and that you will look your best if you surrender. Letting your whole head go gray isn’t necessarily the best option but ask your hairdresser to add highlights/lowlights to lighten your hair. Colour can be very important for lots of people and many women don’t like the way they look with grey hair. The key to looking your best is to gradually lighten your hair so it looks natural. As we get older, skin pales and if you are continuing to dye your hair the colour you did in your forties and fifties it will look too harsh and unflattering. Lighter doesn’t necessarily mean blonde, but can be caramels and mochas for darker haired women. Surprisingly, not objecting to the incoming of gray

and white hair by dying your hair dark will actually make you look younger and draw attention away from wrinkles and other imperfections. GRAY HAIR VS WHITE HAIR Some people look great with gray hair but not all. Each tone of natural gray is individual and some natural colours can be unflattering to your skin tone. If this is the case for you, putting bleach highlights in your hair can be much more flattering or switching to more of an elegant shade of white. PRODUCTS AND TREATMENTS FOR OLDER TRESSES Your hair gets drier as you age and you often have to wash your hair much less than you used to. Redkin does a great shampoo and conditioner for aging hair called Time Reset. Redkin uses a combination of agefighting formulas fortified with the powerful Vital 5 Complex to help combat signs of aging hair such as change in texture, diminished density, surface dullness, increased dryness and fragility.

beauty | hair tips

STRAIGHT HAIR Straight hair creates shine with age as your tresses begin to loose luster but pin straight is typically not flattering and actually draws more attention to wrinkles. You always want to create movement (softness) around your face.

older (no matter how hard we try!) it is important to think about how that weight affects our appearance. Hair needs to be longer to frame the neck because it is more slimming than a pixie cut or a curly perm. The ideal spot for the hair to end is between the ear and the shoulder.

WEIGHT AND SHORT HAIR As our bodies all begin to retain weight as we get Wise Magazine | 18

beauty | skincare

your skincare routine A good skin-care regimen along with regular use of an anti-wrinkle cream may lessen the appearance of wrinkles and help fight off common signs of aging, according to MayoClinic.com. The results obtained from anti-aging products are more noticeable if the routine is begun at an early age. However, it is never too old to start taking care of your skin. As you get older, your skin loses elasticity, or the ability to stretch and retract. Poor elasticity causes skin to settle, hang and fold, resulting in wrinkles. Some of the problems areas for women older than 60 include the eyes, lips and chin. Step 1 Cleanse your skin in the morning and evening with a mild cleanser specifically formulated for your skin type. Choose a moisturizing cleanser if you have dry skin, a normal cleanser if you tend to get oily on your forehead and nose, and an oil-free cleanser if the majority of your skin has a tendency to get oily. Step 2 Apply a light glazing of toner with a cotton ball immediately after each cleansing. Match the toner formula to your skin type as well. Step 3 Rub an anti-aging serum over all of the skin of your face after toning. Select the serum that best matches your skin-care issues. For deep wrinkle correction, choose 19 | Wise Magazine

a serum formulated for deep wrinkles. For age spots, choose a brightening serum. Use a more concentrated serum overnight. Most skin-care lines have serums and moisturizers specifically formulated for daytime and nighttime use. As a rule, the nighttime formulas contain higher concentrations of active ingredients. Step 4 Pat an anti-aging eye serum under your eye and on your brow. Pay attention to the type of eye cream you are using. Some creams only correct wrinkles. Others correct wrinkles, bags and dark circles. Step 5 Apply moisturizing lip balm or a lip wrinkle treatment to your lips and the skin immediately surrounding your lips. Step 6 Moisturize your skin according to your skin's needs and the time of day. Use a heavier moisturizer at night and a lighter one under your makeup. Step 7 Use weekly brightening skin treatments if you have age spots, freckles or sun damage that you would like to fade away. Use a glycolic skin peel every six months to remove dead skin cells and reveal the younger skin underneath.

food

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Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese.

food | tea time

Photographed by lindsay deschamps | styled and made by cathy watier and anne pierce

food | tea time

lemon tart Cook Time: 45 min | Level: Advanced | Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients Crust: 1 cup (130 grams) all purpose flour 1/3 cup (35 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (113 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces Lemon Filling: 5 ounces (140 grams) cream cheese, room temperature. 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated white sugar 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh lemon juice (approximately two large lemons) 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (outer lemon skin) Topping: 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon (10 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar

Directions Crust: Grease with butter, or spray with a nonstick vegetable cooking spray, an 8 - 9 inch tart pan with a removable bottom. In your food processor, place the flour, sugar and salt and process to combine. Add butter and pulse until the pastry starts to come together and form clumps. Place the pastry in the prepared tart pan and evenly press the pastry onto the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Pierce the bottom of the crust with the tines of a fork. Cover and place the pastry crust in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. When the pastry is completely chilled, place the tart pan on a larger baking pan and bake until the crust is golden brown, about 13 - 15 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool while you make the filling. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Filling: In a food processor place the cream cheese and process until smooth. Add sugar and process until incorporated. Add eggs, one at a time, and process until thoroughly combined. Add remaining ingredients and process until well blended and smooth. Pour filling into pre baked tart shell and bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until filling is set. Transfer tart to a wire rack to cool and then cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least an hour. Topping: Put mixing bowl and whisk in the freezer for 15 minutes. Beat the whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Pipe onto tart. Wise Magazine | 22

food | tea time

blueberry creme brule Cook Time: 2 hours | Level: Intermediate | Yield: 5-6 servings

Ingredients 1 extra-large egg 4 extra-large egg yolks 1/2 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for each serving 3 cups heavy cream 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 tablespoon orange liqueur 1 pint of blue berries (if desired)

Directions Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the egg, egg yolks, and 1/2 cup of the sugar together on low speed until just combined. Meanwhile, scald the cream in a small saucepan until itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very hot to the touch but not boiled. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cream to the eggs. Add the vanilla and orange liqueur and pour into 6 to 8-ounce ramekins until almost full. Add blue berries if desired. Place the ramekins in a baking pan and carefully pour boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the custards are set when gently shaken. Remove the custards from the water bath, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until firm. To serve, spread 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly on the top of each ramekin and heat with a kitchen blowtorch until the sugar carmelizes evenly. Allow to sit at room temperature for a minute until the caramelized sugar hardens. 23 | Wise Magazine

food | tea time

Maple pecan cookies Cook Time:10 min | Level: Intermediate | Yield: about 4 dozen

Ingredients 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon maple extract 1/4 cup maple syrup 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Heavy cream

Directions In a medium bowl, cream the butter, then gradually add the sugar and continue to beat. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, maple extract, and maple syrup, and beat until light and fluffy. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Thoroughly blend into the butter mixture. Form into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 4 hours. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Roll the dough out 1/4inch thick. With a drinking glass, cut out cookies and transfer to parchment lined baking sheet. Brush the cookies with heavy cream. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile make the maple glaze. Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until it just reaches the boiling point. Brush or dip the tops of the cookies in the maple glaze while still hot. Let cool. These taste better the next day. Wise Magazine | 26

food | tea time

coffee cake Cook Time: 35-40 min | Level: Intermediate | Yield: 10-12

Ingredients Cake: 3/4 cup butter (1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup golden shortening) 1 1/2 cup white sugar 5 eggs 2 1/4 cup cake and pastry flour 4 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/8 cup buttermilk 7 tbsp camp coffee Icing: 1 cup butter (room temperature) 1/3 cup cream cheese 4 cup icing sugar camp coffee to taste

Directions Cake: Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs until well blended. Sift together in a medium bowl flour and baking powder. In a seperate bowl combine buttermilk, camp coffee, and vanilla. Alternatly add flour and buttermilk mix alternativly. Bake for aprox 35-40 minutes at 350 degress F or until toothpick comes out clean from center of cake. Cool completly before cutting and icing. Icing: Whip butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add icing sugar a cup at a time. Add camp coffee to taste. 27 | Wise Magazine

food | tea time

food | healthy eating

healthyeating

Important nutrients There are a few nutrients that become especially important as we get older. Make sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting enough of them. Vitamin D helps us to absorb calcium. We mainly get it through exposure to sunlight, but dietary sources are also important. Good sources include eggs, oily fish, some fortified breakfast cereals and fortified spreads. The Department of Health recommends a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement for all people aged 65 and over. Calcium is important to maintain good bone health. Osteoporosis becomes more likely as we get older, especially for women. Good sources of calcium include milk and dairy foods such as yoghurt and cheese. Lower fat varieties, for example skimmed milk, still contain calcium. Eat green leafy vegetables and breakfast cereals fortified with calcium. Iron is important for our general health, and a lack of iron can make us feel as though we have no energy. The best source of iron is red meat, but it is also found in oily fish, pulses (beans and lentils) and fortified cereals. Folate is important for good health as we get older and become at risk from nutrient deficiency. Good sources include brown rice, green vegetables and folic acid (synthetic folate) in fortified breakfast cereals. 29 | Wise Magazine

travel

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

â&#x20AC;?

let your memory be your travel bag.

Last Days of the Stewardess What’s become of those charming, capable, and legendarily alluring flying companion once known as stewardesses? Aimee Lee Ball looks at the changing definition of in-flight service.

n anonymous flight attendant recently posted an open letter (read: bitch slap) “to the flying public” on the Internet: “We’re sorry we have no pillows. We’re sorry we’re out of blankets. We’re sorry the airplane is too cold. We’re sorry the airplane is too hot. We’re sorry the overhead bins are full.... We’re sorry that’s not the seat you wanted. We’re sorry there’s a restless toddler/overweight/offensive-smelling passenger seated next to you.... We’re sorry that guy makes you uncomfortable because he ‘looks like a terrorist….’ ” This sorry state of affairs 31 | Wise Magazine

ends with an admonition: “The glory days of pillows, blankets, magazines, and a hot meal for everyone are long gone. Our job is to get you from point A to point B safely and at the cheapest possible cost to you and the company.” We shall now observe a moment of silence for the golden age of travel, those madcap, Mad Men days when airplanes had piano bars and carved-at-your-seat chateaubriand, when the cabin crew was dressed by Emilio Pucci and the passengers dressed up too, when men were men and flight attendants were stewardesses. A recruiting ad from that time seems quaintly antediluvian: “To most passengers, their stew-

ardess is National Airlines. So we are looking for young ladies who have a flair for making people happy, young ladies with just the right blend of friendliness, competence and poise.” Quite a departure from Steven Slater, the irate JetBlue attendant who famously announced “I’m done” and fled down his plane’s emergency chute last year, or the Slater manqué I encountered on a flight I took shortly after having rotator cuff surgery: I asked him to help put my carry-on in the overhead compartment and was told, “That’s not part of my job.” The changing dynamic of airline service seems to parallel the shifting role of airline personnel, whatever they’re called. In the earliest days of commercial flight, there were teenage “cabin boys,” and the first female stewardesses had to be registered nurses. (Such know-

how would have been most welcome several years ago when, en route to Rome, I cleverly gave myself food poisoning from a homemade doggie bag. It’s bad, very bad, when you hear “Is there a doctor on board?” over the loudspeaker and realize it’s for you.) Dressed in hospital whites or military-style uniforms, a “sky girl” of the 1930’s not only served meals and soothed nerves but also sometimes helped refuel the plane or bolt the seats to the floor, according to the 2009 book Flying Across America: The Airline Passenger Experience by Daniel L. Rust. When World War II mobilized nurses, the airlines expanded their hiring parameters, but the requirements were draconian: Barbie-doll height and weight standards, girdles and heels worn at all times, and

So what’s it to be? Androids handing out peanuts, with a hologram showing how to inflate a life vest? Or stewardesses in stilettos and Spanx?

Braniff Airlines 1965 uniforms by emilio pucci

The Glamorous Lives of Stewardesses 1937 Women’s Home Companion describes a stewardess as an amalgam of “nurse, ticketpuncher, baggage-master, guide (the Grand Canyon and Boulder Dam must be pointed out to all passengers), waitress, and little mother of all the world.”

1940’s Training takes place at facilities fittingly called “charm farms,” which churn out clones with identical collar-length haircuts and teeth ground into even smiles.

1956 More than 300 “girls” compete to be mandatory retirement by the decrepit age of…32. Shedding their white gloves and raising their hemlines, stewardesses imparted a mixed message of flirtation and personal indenture. Advertising for National Airlines had Debbie/Cheryl/Karen cooing “Fly Me” (or, even less ambiguously, “I’m going to fly you like you’ve never been flown before”), and Continental claimed “We Really Move Our Tails for You.” Braniff coyly asked “Does your wife know you’re flying with us?” and Pacific Southwest Airlines stressed the advantage of an aisle seat, the better to see its miniskirted workforce. Male passengers were assumed to be overgrown frat boys: Eastern Airlines actually provided them with little black books to collect stewardesses’ phone numbers. From a feminist perspective, it was progress when flight attendants won the right to gain a few pounds, to let their hair go gray, to be pregnant, or to have a Y chromosome: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 insisted that men could do the job too, thus making a little full circle back to those early cabin boys. Fishnet stockings and hot pants were replaced by androgynous pantsuits. But as the dress code changed, so did the up-in-theair experience. Air travel became democratic and accessible. The 800 million of us who pass through U.S. airports every year now comprise a remote and motley crew. We book our flights online, check in at kiosks, board in T-shirts and flip-flops, and withdraw under headsets and earbuds. And yet…. There’s a slightly schizophrenic message from the industry these days, as if it’s taking the tem-

Miss Skyway, marking the 25th anniversary of the stewardess. The surprised winner, Muffett Webb of Braniff, says that her job is good training to be a wife.

1965 The Braniff uniforms designed by Pucci include “space bubble” headgear and the “airstrip,” which calls for the stewardess to remove layers of clothing during a flight.

1967 The alleged memoirs of two “uninhibited” (but fictitious) stewardesses, Coffee, Tea or Me? launches three sequels, a TV movie, and the fantasies of thousands of men.

1972 Stewardesses for Pacific Southwest Airlines, still wearing miniskirts and “pettipants,” return to Miami after their plane was hijacked to Cuba. The uniforms engender a protest from the National Organization for Women.

1980’s After years of lawsuits, flight attendants now have the right to gain a few pounds, let their hair go gray, get pregnant, be men, and wear polyester uniforms.

2006: Delta introduces uniforms designed by Richard Tyler—and, a few years later, a sexy safety video featuring a finger-wagging flight attendant, nicknamed Deltalina for her resemblance to the pillow-lipped actress.

Current: Chinese airlines take up the “charm school” approach to hiring. China Southern Airlines even creates a reality show competition to search for new flight attendants. Applicants race against one another lugging heavy suitcases and serving drinks to the judges.

perature of public nostalgia for the era of “coffee, tea, or me,” at the same time that technology is replacing the “me” factor. Continental is experimenting with subway-style “self-boarding” that bypasses an agent at the gate. The most overt sign that airlines no longer view flight attendants as personal service providers is Virgin America’s touch screen for ordering food on board; the intimate exchange with the person who brings your meal down the aisle approximates the bond with a delivery guy who brings kung pao chicken to your house. No tipping. On the completely opposite hand, Virgin Atlan-

tic has a new commercial featuring stunning young women in lipstick-red uniforms and spike heels pointing out the exit rows with vampy choreography and ripping open their bodices to serve ice cream. A commercial for the Russian airline Avianova shows a bevy of young women who strip down from skimpy uniforms into string bikinis to give the plane an orgiastic sponge bath. U.S. carriers seem more puritanical—or more respectful, depending on your point of view— but Southwest Airlines recently plastered an image of the cover girl for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, full length, on the Boeing 737 it flies from New York City to Las Vegas. So what’s it to be? Androids handing out peanuts, with a hologram showing how to inflate a life vest? Or stewardesses in stilettos and Spanx? Perhaps a return to teenage boys, recruited out of the Scouts? “The way people now view air travel, it’s public transportation,” said Patricia A. Friend, former president of the Association of Flight Attendants, who started flying with United in 1966. “When my friends complain about no food on board or paying to check a bag, I tell them: Talk to me when you stop going searching for the cheapest ticket on the Internet. As long as we show up based on the price of the seat, we have settled for a particular level of service.” Until the industry decides on a paradigm for the 21st century, better pack a sandwich and fasten your seatbelt. It could be a bumpy ride.

Until the industry decides on a paradigm for the 21st century, better pack a sandwich and fasten your seatbelt. It could be a bumpy ride. 35 | Wise Magazine

TOP 10 travel essentials Packing is part of any travel experience. Whether

belt and use it. Save your daypack and purse for

you’ll need to bring appropriate clothing and travel

water bottles.

you’re headed to a beach condo or an Alaskan cruise, gear. Here are 10 travel essentials to include on any trip, regardless of destination.

1. Wheeled Suitcase / Backpack / Duffel Bag

Wheeled luggage has revolutionized travel. No

more backaches and strained muscles! Today you can buy suitcases, backpacks and duffel bags with

attached wheels, any of which can make transport-

ing luggage easy, if not entirely effortless. If you’re planning to hike or walk over rough surfaces, consider a wheeled backpack or duffel bag so you can pick it up and carry it as necessary. 2. Daypack

You’ll need something to carry maps, snacks and

bottled water while you explore. Keep your heavy wheeled bag in your hotel room and pack daily es-

sentials in a daypack or tote. Daypacks, while not quite as stylish as totes, distribute the weight of your

travel items more comfortably across your back and your shoulders.

3. Comfortable Shoes

Leave the high heels and beach sandals at home – unless, of course, you’re going to the beach – and pack shoes you can really walk in. Be sure to break

them in before your trip begins. Blisters can ruin a perfectly-planned vacation.

4. Personal Toiletries /Medications / Glasses

These essential items vary from person to person. You’ll need to bring small, three-ounce bottles of

liquids and gels if you’re traveling by air and intend

to pack your toiletries in your carry-on bag. Bring your medications in their original prescription

bottles, not in a weekly pill organizer. Don’t forget your glasses, especially if you aren’t sure you can buy contact lens solution while on your trip. 5. Money Belt

Don’t fool yourself – pickpockets are deft and quick, and they’ll relieve you of your money and passport

before you know what has happened. Buy a money

items you can afford to replace, such as maps and 6. Rain Gear

Collapsible umbrellas, water-repellent jackets, ponchos and folding hats make all-weather travel bear-

able. Unless you’re headed to Death Valley, you’ll probably need one or more of these items. 7. Travel Alarm

You’ll want to know what time it is and when to wake up, especially if you’re traveling with a tour group. Many people use the alarm functions on

their watches or cell phones for this purpose. Oth-

ers prefer a small travel alarm clock that’s easy to see in the dark.

8. Voltage Converter and Plug Adapters

If you’re traveling overseas and use plug-in appli-

ances or electronic equipment, you will definitely need plug adapters. Some hair dryers, camera chargers, laptops and cell phones are dual voltage, but others need a voltage converter. 9. Map / Guidebook

Bring guidebooks and domestic maps with you. In

many cases, it’s less expensive to buy local maps at

your destination rather than in your local bookstore. You’ll need to factor in the currency exchange rate when comparing map prices. Many people tear out relevant guidebook chapters and carry only the pages they need. This approach saves weight, but it destroys the guidebook.

10. Backup Documents

Make copies of your passport and tickets and keep them in a safe place in your luggage. If your passport is stolen, a copy will speed up the replacement

process. Leave a second copy of your passport with

a family member back home. You may also want to bring copies of other documents, such as your credit

card’s rental car insurance coverage information, depending on your destination. It’s also a good idea to bring telephone numbers for your bank, credit card company and, if relevant, travel agency in case you need to contact them.

travel | essentials

travel | tours

travelbuddies The Top 5 Travel Tour Groups for Seniors

BY Jennifer Gregory You’ve put in 30+ years at the office, and your children are grown and off on their own. You may have already reached retirement, or you can see it peaking from around the corner. Life, as you know it, is good. There’s just one problem. Travel seems to be a little more difficult than it was before. The tours and cruises that suited your previously active lifestyle might be just a little too jam-packed for your tastes now. The best solution is to find a travel tour specifically designed for mature adults more interested in enjoying an experience instead of adding as many stops to the itinerary as possible. Where are you going to find a travel tour like that? We will show you! 1. ELDERTREKS Eldertreks is a unique travel company that caters only to the 50+ community of travelers. The trips they plan include those for active individuals, small groups, and destinations that are off the beaten path. Some trips are land excursions, while others involve relaxing cruises. While the group specializes in catering their itineraries on the 50 and over crowd, they will allow traveling companions as long as they are over the age of 18. Eldertreks is currently featuring the Grand Southeast Asia tour, including stops in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Burma. You’ll have the opportunity to tour Bangkok, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda in Burma, and cruise down the Mekong River! Other amazing adventures include the Cultural West Africa excursion or the From Sea to Sahara tour of Mo37 | Wise Magazine

rocco. Eldertreks has destination locations throughout North America, Central America, South America, Africa, Europe, South East Asia, Asia, and Oceania. 2. WALKING THE WORLD Walking the World is a tour group designed for seniors who are more active than not. The group focuses on encouraging people of all ages to enjoy life to the fullest extent, regardless of age, while testing their physical limits in a safe and encouraging atmosphere. Ward Luthi, your guide, will lead you on adventure tours across the globe. He founded Walking the World in 1987 and has been personally leading adventure tours ever since. There’s still time to book an 11-day trip to Costa Rica or a 7-day excursion through the Utah-Arches & Capitol Reef in 2008. The group has a trip to New Zealand planned for February of 2009, and will be posting details on an incredible trip to Corsica soon as well! 3. 50PLUS EXPEDITIONS 50plus Expeditions is another travel agency specializing in adventure travel for the 50+ community. They also claim to be able to eradicate single supplement charges normally included for single travelers on cruises and guided tours, a money-saving perk for the frugal traveler. Trips are split into three categories depending on the level of activity each day. For example, and easy trip will involve 2-3 hours of walking or hiking each day; a moderate trip will include anywhere from 4-6 hours of

activity; and a demanding trip is more strenuous and limited to those in great physical condition. Trips with 50plus Expeditions include destinations in the Arctic, Antarctica, Asia, East Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America. 4. SENIOR WOMEN’S TRAVEL TOURS Senior Women’s Travel (SWT) is a group dedicated to providing travel opportunities to single senior women. The goal is to let women know that they can still travel, despite their ages, and even if they don’t have a traveling companion. An upcoming trip to Buenos Aires, for example, will feature opportunities to explore the history and diverse culture of the area. The trip will include tango lessons, historic tours, shopping, and more! Even more unique is the opportunity for senior women to take their granddaughters on vacation with them. SWT plans unique adventures so that grandmother and granddaughter can experience the joys of traveling together. A trip to Paris, for example, includes a Paris Chocolate Trour, a bus tour of the famous Parisian monuments, and a fashion show, amongst many others. 5. SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS Smithsonian Journeys is a travel agency specializing in educational travel opportunities for families, individuals, and seniors alike. With destinations around the globe, each tour features a study leader who does more than simply guide you from place to place. The study leaders have spent years studying the areas within which they work, and offer an in-depth perspective, guidance that will surely turn your trip into a unique educational experience, regardless of whether or not you end up in Egypt or the Caribbean. Tours range from land-only to cruises, train rides, and more. They offer value-priced opportunities, perfect for a retiree on a budget and a variety of tours from incredibly active adventures to the more relaxed exploration. Smithsonian Journeys has something for everyone! There are dozens of travel groups dedicated to focusing on affordable and accommodating adventures for senior citizens. These are just a few of our favorites. Regardless of the trip you choose, you can be assured you’ll travel comfortably with knowledgeable guides and friendly hosts! Enjoy your trip!

travel | tours

CHINA WHY YOU

WANT TO VISIT

09, 05, R860

TRAVELISTA 2011

travel | china

TRIP ABROAD Anne Pierce and Mary-Lou Smith spend twenty-five days exploring the sights on a seniors tour.

ich with history, China is a world worth exploring. Many older adults are intimidated by the idea of visiting such a giant country that is so culturally different from the North American way of life. A great option for those that want to cross China off their bucket list is going with a seniors tour. Some of the many benefits of doing a seniors tour include planned itineraries to all of the top destinations, you don’t have to worry about finding a translator or losing your luggage or plane tickets and you have full medical coverage. Not to mention the best part, you don’t have to plan a thing other than what’s going in your suitcase and what souvenirs you need to bring back for your kids and your grandchildren. Anne Pierce, 74 and Mary-Lou Smith, 82 trav-

eled to Beijing and Singapore with Senior Tours Canada for a 25 day adventure. Anne tells us the best part of the trip was seeing sights in Beijing such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army. She says, “I’m in my seventies, I’m not going to go gallivanting around China on my own; the only way I would do China is with a senior’s tour. You meet lots of great people and everyone is at the same pace so you never feel rushed or bored.” China is one of the fastest growing countries in the world and has so much unique history and beauty that it is definitely a must-see for all those Travelistas out there.

Worried there won’t be enough food to your liking or that you’ll get tired of rice after awhile? Here are some great American style restaurants that you can ask your tour guide about: Papa John’s Pizza

Hard Rock Café

T. G. I. Friday’s

Recommended Dishes: Pizza, Chicken’s Wing, Cheese Stick

Recommended Dishes: Steak, Onion Rings, Sandwiches

Recommended Dishes: BBQ Ribs, Salad, Cocktails

Outback Steakhouse

Tim’s TEXAS BAR-B-Q

Grandma’s Kitchen

Recommended Dishes: Steak, Fried Mushroom, Fillet Steak, Black Bread

Recommended Dishes: Beef Brisket, Salmon Fillet, Onion Rings, South Texas Potato Salad

Recommended Dishes: Roast Sweet Potato Skin, Mushroom Cream Soup, Milk Shake

Wise Magazine | 40

travel | bucket list

travel bucket list What's on your list?

• See Kremlin in Moscow

• Relax on beach in Greece

• Diving in Belize

• Disneyland

• Cruise through the Panama Canal

• Visit the Galapagos Islands

• Visit the Vatican

• Snorkel with salmon in Campbell River, BC

• Destination wedding

• Eat Chinese in Beijing, China

• Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame

• Ride a gondola in Venice

• Shopping in Milan

• Walk on Boracay Beach, Philippines

• Dive the Great Barrier Reef

• Whale watching, British Columbia

• Around the world cruise

• Raft tour down the Amazon

• See a NASCAR race

• Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

• All-Inclusive in Mexico

• Tea at the Empress Hotel, Victoria

• Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC

• Eat sushi in Tokyo

• Drive Route 66

• Wine tour in the Okanagan

• Ski Mt. Washington

• Cruise to Alaska

• Watch the shuttle launch

• Tour Rome

• See pyramids in Egypt

fashion

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

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You can always be overdressed, but never too elegant.

Play in the jean pool

No need to lose the game, Leanne Delap reports on the latest age-appropriate denim choices, the everyday style solution

o a Nobel Prize winner walks into a jean store and he is just as vulnerable to the slings and arrows of fashion as the rest of us. No item of clothing can give such security as our oldest friend, the blue jean, while simultaneously breeding such insecurity. There’s the inexorable creep up in sizes, about a rung a decade is the rule’ and that persistent flooble rising overtop the waist and fabric straining at thigh and seat. Then there is the uncool factor-what is new on the jean scene changes before you leave the store. And every teen in town can clock exactly where your butt is out of date. But if there is one hummer of a mistake you can make right now? The Mom jean. Yes, even America’s Nobel hottie First Dad got ripped for trying to wear “comfortable” jeans. And, yes, the Dad jean exists in a parallel universe of style doom, but U.S. President Barack Obama’s fashion crimes were deemed so egregious he got Mommed in the blogosphere in the early throes of his presidency, sending out a style dinger while throwing the first pitch at his first All-Star Game to be exact. Good to know the bile of all the little satellite typists across the continent did some esthetic good: Obama has since taken to tighter, lower-slung denim styles. He can return to being a style leader of the free-world Zoomer generation. The Mom jean has become an ephithet, but it is also a catch-all phrase referring to any denim pant for women (and in Obama’s extreme case, men) that sits awkwardly somewhere around a bulging middle-aged middle. It implies a doofy, sexless fit. This in contrast to the past decade where the low-rise jean reigned su-

preme, an era embodied by the Brazilian teen uberbabe whose jeans appeared about half a body length below her belly button. So how did we get back to the middle? Basically because we had tried everything else: the jeans market is, at the highest and fasted end, on about an eight- to 10-week cycle, says Yoel Farza, co-owner of Vancouver’s Fab boutique who touches down in the denim meccas of L.A. and NYC at least that often to keep the rear ends of the country’s west coast up to competitive tack. “My customers are older. They have been on top of every jean trend on every waiting list for their whole lifes. They are a big market force. When denim costs $250-plus a pair, you don’t make or sell jeans for teenagers exclusively.” To look at the larger trend cycle, we begin in 1994, when the recently deceased fashion wunderkind

It is a classic look and has been popular since pants were invented for women Alexander McQueen showed his “bumsters” on the London runway. His bumsters were dangerously lewd and incredibly exciting: rarely does a designer simultaneously transgress acceptable boundaries – the models’ posterior views left nothing unsaid – and come up with something totally new. No one had done bum cleavage before. In remarkably short order, the rise of jeans for women and men plummeted from a normal of nine inches to five and sometimes below even that Brazilian thrill line. There were, in recent memory, jeans with Wise Magazine | 44

2-1/2 inch rises, and they required some extreme depilatory preparations. As night follows day, the only reaction extreme enough for fashion’s front lines was the return of the highest of waists. It started from the vintage trenches, of course. Kealan Sullivan, owner of Toronto’s 69 Vintage, started pulling old hourglass-shaped denim bodies from the delete bin about five years ago. “I think it is a classic look and has been popular since pants were invented for women. The style has been trendy in each decade,” Sullivan says. But our communal esthetic has changed. The high-waist look reads dowdy-indeed, unflattering to everyone but the perfectly toned tummied hourglasses. To wit, the young and the funky, exactly

the vintage troller who shops at 69 Vintage. Therin lies the rub: the Mom jean is a classic trend loop. Like the revival of the pussy-bow secretary blouse before it, the high-waisted jean exists in two dimensions simultaneously, the people who never actually stopped wearing their circa 1985 jeans that gave them a wasp-waist; and the few, the small, the brave stylistas who cinched themselves in sincere irony and in a look not suited to most. “Too high just didn’t sell, and there are only a few left on the shelves,” says Fab’s Farzan. So where does that leave the majority of women-or men-over 45? Here are some rules to navigate the modern jeans market.

FIve secrets you should know 1. Avoid trendy jeans Acid wash, bleach, studs, appliques, and rips, all reflect trends in jeans The truth be told, we have all seen these styles come and go. If you want jeans that are always going to be in style, look for denim with a consistent medium to dark wash. Keep embellishments like appliques or studs to a minimum to prevent your jeans from looking too costume like or youth oriented.

jeans mature women should keep comfort uppermost on their minds. Many of today’s jeans contain 1 to 2 percent spandex to provide a nice snug fit. However, if a body hugging jean may look good, it can be torture to wear them all day if they are too tight. A simple test to see if your jeans are comfortable is to sit or squat in them. If they tend to bind any part of your body, you need to look for a larger size.

2. Remember jeans come in other colors Generally, when we think of jeans we think the color blue. But, today jeans come in an array of colors. Boomer women should experiment with jeans in other colors like black, white, brown and tan. Avoid pastel or bright colors which are better suited for twenty-somethings and teens. 3. Jeans should always be comfortable While style is important, when shopping for

4. Pay attention to the rise Rise refers to where the waistband of the jeans hits your body. Low rise jeans or hip huggers as they were called several years ago, usually hit the body below the hipbone. High rise jeans generally hit the body above the hipbone. An example of a high rise jean is the tapered “mommy jean” of yesteryear that extended up to the waist. The most flattering look for

most older women is a medium rise. Here, the waistband is on or slightly below the hipbone. 5. Make sure the jeans fit correctly across your abdomen. Your jeans should be flat and smooth across the abdomen. A protruding zipper or significant creasing along the upper thighs is an indication that your jeans are ill-fitting. Choose jeans that are a size larger, even if the waist is bigger, to get a better fit. A gap in the waistband can always be altered.

Mind the Gape The key is to find a jean that fits well in the back, snug enough to prevent gape. Look for a contour waistband, where the height is maximized at the sides and scooped a bit in the front and higher in the back to cover up any cleavage. A fashionable rise, which may suit many women who want to show their curves and contain the midriff, is the 7 ½ to 8 1/2 –inch zone. Rinse isn’t just for grey hair The silhouette is definitely softening, for men and women. “The look is less severe all around,” says Sarvi Ghahremanpour, manager and chief stylist at Toronto’s fabled Over the Rainbow jeans mecca. That means a “cleaner” look, so less of the artful faux-distressing and more of what Ghahremanpour says is known as “rinse-wash” in the industry (basically a nice, solid dark indigo colour that looks great dressed up).

The straight skinny on cut And the all-important leg right now? The straight-slim is the cut of choice for the older client, male or female, says Rian Gardiner, who runs Triluxe, a distributor of premium denim and fashion collections. “Grown-ups are drawing a line in the sand. They want to look classy again, pulled together. Jeans had gotten silly for awhile, all gored and shredded and stained.” So leave the flares and bell-bottoms, crops and roll-up, slashes and gashes to the kids. Pick a pocket to rock it Look for simple pockets-jazz doesn’t add to your jazzand the positioning on your posterior is key. A pocket that sits low on your cheeks will give the illusion of sag. When in doubt, go mid-sized pockets, go plain pockets and go for balanced placement-not too high and not too low.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on denim to look great. For less expensive options try the Gap or Levi’s new Curve ID jeans

47 | Wise Magazine

Best brands for women DL1961 is a line from New York, which has been in the country nearly a year and has become a top seller. It has four-way stretch technology-about 27 percent Lycra, according to Gardiner. The idea is to lift and tuck. Named for one of the founder’s birth year-1961there is a clue to its success with the Zoomer market. And the price is on the low end of the premium world: $160 and up. Not Your Daughter’s Jeans is also out of the States, where they call a Spanx a Spanx. These jeans run in the $150-$180 rang in Canada and sell at the Bay and small boutiques rather than in traditional denim stores. The technology is girdle-like, and a few volunteer 60-somethings I trotted out on a road test reported feeling a bit like overstuffed sausages when they zipped them up. Fidelity is a brand founded a decade ago in Vancouver by Jason Trotzuk. His classic fits remain the same. And the sizing and styling remain remarkably consistent. If you liked a pair five years, you can go back to the same store and buy a replacement without trying them on. As Trotzuk says, “As a Canadian, I can’t approach this business like a trendoid. Our identity is modern, refined and grown-up. We have jeans with bells and whistles and glittery stuff, but the core of the line is a good simple and effortless fit.” Unlike most brands, which top out at a size 32, Fidelity goes up to a size 34- and runs its leg lengths up to 36 in some cases as well, which means hemming for most customers but a real find for the tall folks in town.

Best Brands for Men The male market is a harder nut, says Melissa Austria, founder and owner of Toronto’s Gotstyle. “Jeans are identity,” she says. “They’re about feeling young and sexy. Unfortunately, guys get stuck in a rut. They used to feel sexy in those jeans, ergo…” For men as for women, the way to go is straight-slim and rinse wash. “Clean and classy is the look,” she says. “Nothing that should be too shocking for the conservative older male.” Austria says the 45-plus male client is programmed to balk at mega price-tags. “Jean shopping is loaded enough,” she says-as loaded for men as for women, in fact-“so you don’t want to add insult to injury with the price tag.” She has a winner in a new limited edition Levi’s 501 the shop sells-dark blue, simple and $95. Austria recommends Agave and AG Adriano Goldschmied for the Zoomer man. Both brands run in the $200 to $250 zone. They both have a bit of stretch, something Austria finds men who were grown-ups through the ‘80s are (with good reason) afraid of. But stretch improves the fit, eliminates Dad Sag in the bum and knees and allows for easier movement. And if Barack Obama, a man with some smokin’ style in normal circumstances, can go so wrong with jeans, take heart. He got help, and now those embarrassing Mom jeans are just pictures of aging in a stack. Of course, you can Google Obama Mom jean and get some doozies in seconds. Act now to make sure no one will immortalize you in that way. Wise Magazine | 48

some like it photography by: Lindsay Deschamps model: ann Busby

tHIS PAGE: Dress, $25, Top Shop. Necklace and bracelet, $29, Aldo. Earrings, $45, Bittersweet.

tHIS PAGE: Dress, $79, Top Shop. Sandle, $60, Spring.

tHIS PAGE: Dress, $69, Laura. Necklace and bracelet, $20, Aldo.

fancy

footwear BOOTIES Booties are everywhere right now and can be worn under jeans or dress pants or you can have fun with it and try a more daring style and pair with a skirt, just remember to keep your nylon colour as close to the shoe as possible to elongate the leg. Feet First, $89

photography by lindsay deschamps 53 | Wise Magazine

fashion | shoes

WEDGES Low wedges (or just wedges in general!) are a great look that distributes your weight more evenly so they are not as hard on your body. Aldo, $59

Wise Magazine | 54

fashion | shoes

BOOTS When chosing a heeled boot, look for something with a lot of support around the ankle and a good wide heel. The Bay, $68

55 | Wise Magazine

NUDE PUMPS

fashion | shoes

Low heels are not as strenuous on our legs but often donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help us appear taller, opt for nude colour heels as they appear to elongate the lengths of our legs. Steve Madden, $119

Wise Magazine | 56

fashion | nails

oscar worthy L’Oreal don’t wait up

CALL your manicurist hot nail trends you’ve got to try

photography by lindsay deschamps

fashion | nails

alternative french OPI Las vegas strip poker & not like the movies

fashion | nails

neutral OPI SAN tAn-tonio

glamgram who are you calling frumpy? linda livingstone is flipping all those perceived notions about grandmothers photography by lindsay deschamps

refresh

your dress revamp your wardrobe with style from day to night photography by Lindsay deschamps model: trudy loucks kesser

left: Dress, $129, Calvin Klein. THIS PAGE: Jacket , $199, Jacob. Purse, $25, Aldo

Wise Magazine | 68

tHIS PAGE: Top, $10, Smart Set. Blazer, $30, Sears. Jeans, $60, The Gap 69 | Wise Magazine

tHIS PAGE: Dress, $119, Jacob. Heels, $60, Aldo.

tHIS PAGE: Top, $40, Smart Set. Jacket, $129, Calvin Klein. Skirt, $50, Espirt.

fashion | wardrobe

dressto impress Sixty may be the new 50, but it's not an excuse to raid your daughter's closet. Let's face it, as women age, formerly toned body parts begin to sag and shift. Even if you haven't gained an ounce since your 30s, clothes just don't fit the same. And for those still wearing the same outfits they wore 20 years ago, it's definitely time for a wardrobe update. The first thing any fashion expert will tell you is that dressing younger does not make you look younger. People-watch at your local mall and you'll notice that most women over 60 are not "Forever 21." But that doesn't mean they can't look good and have fun with their wardrobe. Your sixties and up should not mean frumpy; it's about comfort and elegance. There's nothing a good haircut and a great outfit can't do to make you look and feel fantastic. Professional Looks Remember when trousers were forbidden at the office and pantyhose were a must? Well, those days are gone. The workplace has become progressively more casual, and, to be honest, it's often difficult to tell what's appropriate. Today's office looks run the gamut, from jeans and flip-flops to outdated power suits and pumps. Dressing somewhere in between those two extremes is the best choice for female professionals in their fifties. Suits are out; separates are in. Mix, match and layer wardrobe essentials and accessories; you'll not only look chic, you'll expand your wardrobe while saving money. First, update your styles and your style rules. For example, ditch the boxy blazers with shoulder pads and accept that it's OK to wear white after Labor Day. Next, invest in tailored pieces that flatter your figure and are made of quality fabrics like cashmere, wool and cotton. Talbots, Ann Taylor and Jones New York are good

sources for these wardrobe basics. Some classic pieces for your wardrobe: -Crisp white shirt -Wool pants with some stretch in black, navy, gray or khaki -Year-round leather jacket -Four types of shoes: a low-heel sling-back in black, a flat for work and comfort, an evening shoe, and a casual shoe like a moccasin for week ends -Pencil skirt fitted for your body-type that hits mid-knee -Trench coat Now, mix it up: -Do mix prints, but match them according to color tone. -Don't match your handbag and shoes. -Do mix in bargain pieces (accessories, tops) with quality basics.

Casual Looks When it comes to giving away your age, one of the biggest pitfalls is casual dress. Unfortunately, many women tend to fall into these two categories: those who dress like a 20 year old and those who wear the same outfits they wore 20 years ago. Let's face it, ladies, neither strategy works. One thing you can wear (at any age) is a nice pair of jeans. Until recently, the choice for older women was limited to elasticized "mom jeans." Fortunately, manufacturers are now designing jeans for every body type, making it easier to find a flattering fit. A pair of wellfitting jeans is worth the investment. Take the time and try on a variety of sizes and styles to find the most flattering, age-appropriate fit. Wise Magazine | 72

fashion | wardrobe

Be aware of the following five areas when you choose a pair of jeans: 1. The rise from the crotch to the top of the waistband should fall between the low-rise teenage cut and the high-rise "mom jean" cut. 2. The color should be true blue or a dark wash; avoid tears, holes, embellishments or embroidery. 3. The cut or shape of the jean will have an impact on your shape. The boot-cut, with a slight flare at the bottom, provides balance to the hip. And trouser jeans are flattering, with a wider leg, wider waistband and flat front. 4. Cotton denim with 2 to 3 percent Lycra allows for stretch and is more comfortable than 100 percent cotton, which can sag after a few hours of wear. 5. Pocket size and placement as well as stitching finish off the look. Check your backside. Once you have the perfect pair of jeans, complete the look with a classic top, a fun accessory and the right shoe. Keep in mind, the narrower the leg opening, the more delicate the shoe. And never wear tennis shoes with jeans. That's an outdated look. Evening Looks There's no reason to go out for a night on the town dressed like the mother of the bride. For most black-tie events, long is no longer the rule. Dress lengths range from floor-length to knee-length and everywhere in between. Finding the perfect dress for a black-tie event is always harder when you wait until the last minute. Plus, you tend to spend more. Keep an eye out for the dress of your dreams year-round so you'll be ready when the invitation comes along; or you can always fall back on that famous wardrobe staple, the little black dress. For women of any age, a black dress is perfect for an evening out, and the perfect black dress is one that is versatile enough to take you from business functions to the red carpet. Follow the guidelines for choosing a style to compliment your body, and dress it up with jewelry, shoes, an elegant evening bag and a wrap. Be careful not to go over-

board with too much bling. Dos and Don'ts Perhaps the reason women go crazy for stylist Lloyd Boston is that he celebrates their positive features and encourages them to try new things, so they feel fabulous at any age. His sound advice not only applies to women in their 60s, but also to those in their 30s and 80s. Among his recommendations are... -Do try warm jewel tones, which usually work with every skin tone. -Don't match shoes with a bag. -Do emphasize the silhouette not the skin. -Do wear an interesting brooch instead of necklace if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like your neck. -Do have a professional bra fitting. -Don't shop by size; shop by fit. -Do emphasize your waistline to show off your curves. -Do belt a sheath dress to distract the eye from the belly. -Don't buy a piece of basic clothing unless you can wear it three ways. -Do edit your closet every few years to get rid of pieces that are out of date or no longer fit. -Don't wear baggy or tight clothes, choose waisted jackets, scoop necklines and fitted tops. -Do stick to classic pieces and accessorize with seasonal trends. -Do make your legs look longer by wearing a nude shoe. -Don't wear a floral print on a body part that you want to downplay. -Don't wear panty hose with open toe shoes. -Don't go out of the house wearing something that feels too tight. -Do consider a wrap dress, which will work with your curves as they increase or decrease. -Do remember size and age are just numbers. A woman who dresses in well-made, well-fitting clothes can feel extremely confident and that confidence will make her look better than anyone else in the room.

living

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Life is not merely being alive, but being well.

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Benefits of Yoga

Many woman find that yoga’s benefits are both physical and mental and that a regular practice brings calmness and strength to both the body mind and body. For woman over the age 60, yoga’s physical and strengthening effects can help combat other effects of aging. Balancing poses strength the stabilizing muscles and help with coordination, while weight bearing poses can actually stimulate bone-building and address stiff muscles. -Lauren Locke, Yoga Instructor

Exercise Examples You need to exercise your arms and legs to tone your muscles and keep them strong. Some easy chair exercises for seniors include: • Boxing or punching (without fully extending or snapping the elbow) • Arm circles • Foot bounces (put your feet flat on the floor and lift your heal in time to music, do one foot at a time, both or alternate) • Leg kicks (extend your leg and kick out) • Leg crosses (scoot down on your chair so you can fully extend your legs, Cross them, and uncross them in the air) You want to work your lower body as much as possible. Many chair exercises for seniors involve

popular warm-ups sitting down. • Seated Jumping Jacks involves sitting up tall and placing your feet spread apart on the ground with all your weight. Then lift them up, cross them in the air, and place them on the floor crossed. Lift again, uncross and put down. Repeat this exercise 20 times. • Work your full body by pushing out your legs and arms at the same time and straightening them. Another variation of chair exercises involves standing up and using the chair for balance or as a tool. Leg squats or knee bends are a great example of using the chair for balance while standing up.

Wise Magazine | 76

living | condos

Condo living Downsizing? - Think “right-sizing” instead Time to downsize? You’re not alone. This year, thousands of Canadians will make the move from the family home, citing reasons such as retirement, an empty nest, loss of a partner or simply the need to cut expenses. But this won’t be our parents’ downsizing. Today’s older adults are younger – the average retirement age is now 62 – and they’re looking to right-size rather than downsize.   I use the phrase “right-size” advisedly. Although they need less house, research indicates that those in the 55+ age group expect to maintain their current lifestyles. Meaning they’re opting for more space and more luxury than previous generations. And they have more money than previous generations, enabling them to get what they want. In addition to pensions and savings, many of today’s generation have 77 | Wise Magazine

inherited money from their frugal parents. According to one source, the baby boom generation will stand to inherit more than one trillion dollars over the next several years. While studies indicate this generation of older adults will be healthier longer, some older adults are downsizing for health concerns and this has led to a proliferation of upscale retirement residences (which offer an independent lifestyle to active seniors who do not have serious health problems); assisted living centers (where residents maintain their independence and privacy while taking advantage of limited nursing care and other available services) and long-term care facilities – previously called nursing homes – which are licensed by the Ministry of Health and intended for people who need round-the-clock care.  However,

living | condos

health permitting, the majority of today’s downsizers are seeking to maintain an independent lifestyle. So granny flats and in-law suites, with built-in dependency on adult children, are less popular. Instead, older adults want the freedom to continue the activities they’ve always enjoyed. Their lifestyles demand recreational facilities and senior-friendly parks and trails, as well as malls, access to cities, picturesque scenery and cultural activities. In response, options are proliferating.   Right-sized doesn’t mean small. According to the 14th Annual RBC Home Ownership survey conducted in 2007, 33 percent of home buyers are thinking small compared to 19 percent in 2002. But small, in this case, is relative. The majority of today’s buyers are looking for 1,200 to 1,600-sq.ft.-properties. As a result, sales of right-sized single family homes and condos are expected to increase at the expense of more compact options, giving today’s buyers room for overnight guests, good storage and spaces for hobbies.   As for luxury, large kitchens, spa-like bathrooms and quality finishes are the new essentials. Coming in close second are offices, family rooms and media centers. As well, walk-in closets and laundry rooms with shelves and cupboards (rather than a stackable washer/dryer

in the kitchen) are must-haves. Upscale finishes such as granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, brushed nickel hardware, hardwood floor and high-end ceramics offer the luxury today’s downsizers require. And, despite our long Canadian winters, outdoor space remains important. That includes everything from full back gardens and large decks to shared outdoor living areas with barbecues, upscale outdoor furniture, water features and sound systems. Interestingly, older buyers across the country are almost evenly split between condos and single-family homes, however in major urban markets the condo traffic outstrips purchases of houses. The maintenance free condo lifestyle offers a turnkey solution to older adults who spend large blocks of time traveling.   Adult lifestyle communities built around golf courses or marinas offer a way of living that suits many. Others may be interested in live/work condos (townhouse developments with commercial space on the street level and high-end residential above it). Some welcome the retirement residence lifestyle where they can transition easily to a nursing facility, if required, while another option is a life-equity concept. In this arrangement, older adults purchase the

downsizing diva Whether you’re moving for the first time or the fifteenth time, moving across town or moving around the world, the Diva can help. We’ll plan and organize your move, sort and downsize your stuff and take care of all the details to reduce the work and worry for everyone involved.

• Take care of all aspects of moving to your new home. • Clear clutter and organize your living space. • Edit your stuff so you keep only what you love, use and need! • Donate, sell or discard items you no longer want. • Dispose of toxic items in an environmentally-friendly manner • Arrange for a Contents Sale or Auction • Get your house ready, so it will sell faster and for more money! • Coordinate home repairs - from painters to plumbers, The Diva knows them all!

www.movingseniors.net

79 | Wise Magazine

right to live in a high-rise or townhouse community for the rest of their life. The life-lease arrangement offers security, property maintenance, access to health care and recreational activities plus equity; life-lease holders can sell at market value or pass on their life-lease interest to their families.   More futuristic is the advent of “smart” homes, which are specially designed for disabled people or aging baby boomers, or assisted living communities designed by older adults themselves. One New York City apartment building is being designed as a senior’s building for elderly women in the arts. Another model is a British project in which several older adults purchased a home together and jointly pay the services of a cook and a nurse.  In the final analysis, older adults are looking to enjoy this third chapter of their lives with the same enthusiasm they enjoyed the first two chapters. And as in the past, their needs and wants will shape our society. So you’re downsizing? Don’t hesitate. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life.

the hotlist

cde new s relea Rare Bird Alert Steve Martin is a man of many hats. Actor. Comedian. Author. Singer. Martin will release his second bluegrass album, titled Rare Bird Alert, this coming March. Martin will be backed by Steep Canyon Rangers, the bluegrass band that toured with Martin in 2010. The album's guest list is stocked with A-list talent in the form of Paul McCartney

STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG

By Kate Atkinson Retired police detective Tracy Water-

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

By Sara Gruen Jacob finds a place tending the circus

house leads a quiet, ordered life--until

animals, including a seemingly un-

she cares for a young child. Meanwhile,

trainable elephant named Rosie. He

Jackson Brodie, the beloved detective from “Case Histories,” rescues an abused dog. Jackson is about to learn, along with Tracy, that no good deed goes unpunished.

and The Dixie Chicks!

also comes to know Marlena, the star of the equestrian act and wife of a charismatic but cruel animal trainer. Caught between love and his need to belong in the crazy family of travelling performers, Jacob is freed only by a murderous secret that will bring the big top down.

re-released! Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None and Murder on the Orient Expresss have been re-released with new modern covers

Wise Magazine | 80

living | wellness

Trudy Loucks Keser Health and vitality coach So what is it that you do exactly? TL: I deal with the concept of vitality which is the outer radiance of good health. It is an emotion and physical health that shows how happy we are. I mainly work with people to get to their optimal weight and becoming the best they can be. I create the awareness, give them the tools to succeed, monitor their confidence and give them the knowledge to make the tools work for their individual needs. Although I do focus on all ages, I developed this concept for the over fifty generation to help women age gracefully and healthily. I help people get balance back in their lives, it just seems to be that once we hit 40, we wake up one day and things aren’t working and we don’t know how to get back to it. I use many different techniques that I’ve learned through kinesiology, colour therapy, energy courses, alternative medicine and Chinese medicine. Most people don’t realize the importance of massage and are shocked to hear that one massage relieves 78 percent of stress. I reintroduce women to these concepts and get them in the mindset to approach good health from the inside out. I think its great when people go to yoga once of week but for real change it requires an entire concept and that’s what I help them achieve. How did you decide this is what you wanted to do with your life? TL: After living almost 30 years in Europe working in marketing and sales I started to realize my own life had gotten a little bit out of balance. One morning when I was in my 40s, I woke up and was dizzy and had a nose bleed but otherwise I felt great, so I went to my doctor and he said I had to stop traveling so much for my job. One of my girlfriends took me to the New Woman’s Clinic in London and it was a huge turning point for me. They did a little bit of everything and sat and talked. I felt fabulous coming out of it, I felt like a new woman and I knew I wanted to do that. It was a wake up call. Since then I’ve swapped houses with a therapist in 81 | Wise Magazine

London and studied on the beautiful island of Jersey. My husband and I set up a wellness spa in Quebec and then we went back to Europe to expand our concept. Other than losing weight, why should one take this approach to their wellness? TL: We don’t learn as children to look after ourselves, its always go help your grandmother, go here, clean the dishes, no one says go sit down and read a book all day. If we leave it too long we never get back to ourselves. Everyone thinks they’re well, because they aren’t sick but we all have things that can be approved upon. I believe everything can be healed through food and I have seen it. What does your program typically include? TL: First, I get everyone to do a blood test so I can tailor make the program to their special needs. I teach my clients to use infrared saunas, learn what they need to eat, teach them that they need to move and that you can’t learn this from a textbook, you need to feel it for yourself. As you age, continuing to move and staying active is one of the most critical things most people ignore. Movement can be resistant training, yoga, Pilates or dance classes-all things that you can do until you’re a hundred. One of the most successful forms of exercise that I recommend to all my clients is buying a mini trampoline (80 cm) and using it once a day for 1015 minutes. Just the act of jumping (it can be small, gentle bounces) can be extremely cleansing and relaxing. Jumping will give you energy and get you out of your head while the energy is going from your head to the rest of the body. I’m not going to say it isn’t hard but it is great fun and is an amazing form of cardio and you can sit on it, do sit ups and breathing. After you will feel phenomenal. What do you suggest for people that are hindered by their pain and have difficulties doing exercise like Pilates and yoga?

living | wellness

breathe TL: Almost all of us age with some aches and pains, arthritis, knee problems, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel. I recommend for those people swimming, it is a great exercise for people with pain and is easy on the joints. You mentioned them before, but what exactly is an infrared sauna? TL: Infrared saunas are used by many Olympic athletes to lose and keep off weight and it can be used by anyone, even those with heart problems because it is soft heat. The sauna creates just a little fever in the body and gets rid of the bacteria and toxins. For the first 15 minutes you can read and relax and then the second 15 minutes it gets really hot and gets you to

perspire. One 30 minute session burns 600 calories; it really cleanses you. What is next for you? TL: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just started to looking into a product called LifeWave. It is a scientifically backed natural patch that reduces pain when put on to the body. It uses the meridians of the body and acupuncture like techniques to heal based on Chinese medicine. It also can be used to lose weight as they can be placed on certain parts of the body to relieve hunger pain. The product uses a lot of the same techniques that I do myself and I think it could be a life changing product. Wise Magazine | 82

Nancy Leppik in her Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Auxilary uniform

The good Samaritan by lindsay deschamps

t was the first time I had met Nancy when I walked into the office of the Sick Kids Women’s Auxiliary. Glowing in her turquoise smock, Nancy is the perfect image of a beautiful, healthy and happy woman in her 70s. I could tell just from our introduction that she is incredibly proud of the work that she does at the hospital and so she should be. Nancy started volunteering in 1993 and has been a part of the Women’s Auxiliary ever since. Now, celebrating their 60th anniversary, the Women’s Auxiliary for Sick Kids Hospital is a non-profit service organization that raises significant funds for the hospital as at least 90% of the profits goes straight to the hospital. Not many organizations can touch that kind of percentage. Right now their highest priority is raising an impressive 2 million dollars for a Chair in Neurology and regenerative medicine.

These women also take care of the hospital gift shop. It is run by about 80-90 volunteers and that’s the organization’s main fundraiser. Other money raising events and programs include an annual bazaar, Sick Kids care bears, holiday greeting cards, the Bravery Bead program and at the end of the year they present the hospital with a check. They aren’t the main fundraiser for the hospital but these women provide a service, they support the staff and give that little extra dimension of care that the families appreciate when they have a loved one that is sick in the hospital. I wanted to talk to Nancy because a lot of women complain that they don’t know what they should do in their retirement and when I said this to her she piped up and said “Oh! I wish we could find them-we are always in need of volunteers”. With so many ways to pass the time now a days, it is difficult to find women

“You look forward to seeing people, it’s seductive in a way because it’s rewarding on so many levels.” that are interested in volunteering especially because of the lengthy process one must commit to. “We do need to do a little hand holding. It’s much harder to volunteer these days because initially you need to have two TB tests. You would think it would be easy but it isn’t,” says Nancy, “it’s a long process as now there are two police checks as well. Its very time consuming and you have to be really committed but its worth it in the end. I know it’s a pain but we’ve all done it”. A few hours a week is all the hospital requires from their volunteers which really isn’t a big commitment and some women go south for the winter and they schedule around them. “We appreciate any help you can give us; you can be as busy as you want or you could just do your three hours but most women want to do more!” says Nancy. Some of the many benefits in being part of the Women’s Auxiliary include the chance to do something for others, making friends with incredible women, personal growth, learning something new, working with committed and interesting people and working with children. “You truly get more back than you give,” Nancy tells me. Nancy’s duties as president include almost every85 | Wise Magazine

thing, it’s hard to describe what she is not involved in! Her main responsibilities are the overall running of the Women’s Auxiliary and meeting with the board of directors each month to listen to everyone’s concerns and issues. She tries to get to know as many people as she can at the hospital and visit all the services the auxiliary takes care of. The store inventory is also an important job and is much like running a little business except that the employees work for free. Nancy spends maybe 3 days a week at the hospital and replies to all the hospital donors by hand written letters. “I had no idea that I would be where I am now, I wanted to be involved with something, I wasn’t working, my husband was and then once I started I loved it and the more you know the people here, the more involved you want to get,” she explains. Nancy describes her accent to presidency as something that just kind of happened after volunteering for the Auxiliary for so long. “Flattered to be asked to do something like this, I thought I might be able to make a difference, I like to be associated with the hospital, I like the women, the past presidents council and it really has been a personal growth experience and opportunity. It is a privilege and an honor to represent the Women’s Auxiliary”.