August Seniors 2019-08-28

Yorkton This Week | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Wednesday, August 28, 2019

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SENIORS Our Monthly Feature

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Glen Tymiak may have retired from a long career of teaching but he spends countless hours working in the garden he has a passion for.

Gardening passion for Tymiak

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer They say gardeners have green thumbs.

In the case of Glen Tymiak the ‘green’ extends over both thumbs, his fingers, hands and quite likely toes.

To say Tymiak is an avid gardener would be understatement.

The back yard of his Yorkton home is some-

thing of an organized jungle of apple trees, tomato plants, potted plants and other plants, leaving only a tiny patch of lawn for a table and chairs, a spot to enjoy coffee with friends, the friends left marveling at the garden.

It would seem enough garden for most people, but not for Tymiak.

Across the back alley from his home lies a strip of idle city-owned land, or at least it was idle.

There is now an area, about 75-feet square that has raspberry bushes, and more tomatoes, spaghetti squash, dill, garlic, onions, potatoes, carrots and well simply put a large and thriving garden on land leased from the city.

The concept appears to have caught on too as other garden spots along the alley have been

claimed from the city’s sea of grass growing gardens.

The interest in gardening may have been the result of growing up on a farm in the Tadmore district, taking his early schooling in the small town before heading to Sturgis for high school.

Tymiak took the ride to high school in a rather unique bus seat in terms

of student seating.

“In Grade 11 and 12 I drove the Tadmore school bus,” he said.

In his Grade 11 year, that meant an income of $60 a month driving the bus to Sturgis. In Grade 12 he got a raise to $75 per month.

That might not seem like a lot of money by today’s standards, but it opened the door for Tymiak in terms of postsecondary education.

“I saved up enough money to go to university. At the time it was about $1000 for tuition and room and board,” he said, adding without the

bus driving income university would have been beyond what his parents could have afforded.

So Tymiak went off to university, emerging from the experience as a teacher.

“I guess when I was young I had in my mind to teach and to work with children,” he said.

Tymiak’s first teaching position was in a small community west of Estevan called Outram teaching Grades 4-5-6, and then transferred to the Estevan Catholic System for a couple of years before taking a Continued on Page A16

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AUGUST 2019

PASSION Continued from Page A15 position in Yorkton. He would spend the next 30-years at St. Alphonsus, St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s schools in the city.

The last 24 years of Tymiak’s teaching career he was principal at St. Mary’s School.

“I had great staff,” he said, adding the school board was always positive as well.

But it is the students Tymiak smiled broadest over.

“At St. Mary’s I had three students I had in Grade 6 on my teaching staff,” he said, recalling Karen Dlugan, Tammy Krasowski and Debbie Wiens following career paths not so different from his own.

Of course the teaching career was evolving a lot over the decades too.

“It had changed a lot; everybody with computers coming in,” said Tymiak, adding that technology fundamentally changed how students could go about finding answers.

Interesting Tymiak may be most proud of being part of developing a program, which while operated through the schools, is all about getting students out of the classroom. He was a charter member of the Yorkton Catholic school system’s outdoor education program, now known as AMPO. “The program is still carrying on strong. That’s nice to see,” he said.

The program has students stay at St. Michael’s Camp at Madge Lake away from asphalt and

cellphones.

“For a lot of kids it’s their first time to get out among nature,” he said, adding many don’t get far from city streets in their everyday lives.

Through the program students experience the simple pleasures of canoeing, a walk in the forest, camping, building a fire, and simply being closer to nature, said Tymiak.

“To just sit around a campfire in the evening; a lot of children don’t get that opportunity,” he said.

While Tymiak loved teaching, he also knew when the time was right to retire.

“I made up my mind about a year before that I should retire,” he said, walking away from the chalkboard in 1995.

While he felt ready to retire, the transition was not as easy as he may have thought it would be.

“The following year I just felt guilty going down town; I should have been at work,” he said.

It helped though that he filled in as a substitute teacher for a number of years, and would end up as assistant manager of St. Mary’s Cultural Centre for a number of years as well.

But much of Tymiak’s retirement has been focused on his garden.

He noted they, he and wife Lena, purchased the house they still reside in in 1967, a year after marrying. They paid $14,500, and Tymiak said when the realtor offered to show them an $18,000 house they balked unsure

Glen Tymiak shows off grapes in his Yorkton garden. how they could ever pay for such an expensive home.

Over the years the house grew, as they added bedrooms for daughter Lori and son Geoff, a garage, deck and solarium, stopping expansion when the house and garden meant leaving no room for further growth of either.

The garden grew as did the house.

“There was no landscaping done. It was started from scratch,” he said.

It was a process that once started never seemed to stop.

“When I started it was

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having a little garden, then a little larger garden,” he said.

Then he added a small greenhouse to start plants and selling extras.

Then as the garden grew the production outstripped the couple’s needs, and those of their now grown children and their families.

“The kids take all that they need or want,” he said, adding he sells the over-supply at the local Gardener’s Market.

As the garden has grown, so too has Tymiak’s knowledge and success, as a gardener.

For 14-straight years his

tomatoes.”

So is there a secret to growing tomatoes?

Well Tymiak said getting the plants ready for garden conditions is a good start.

“Getting them acclimatized before putting them out is important,” he offered.

And grow different varieties if you want production late spring to fall as not all tomatoes produce at the same time.

Some good varieties include Big Beef, Celebrity, Manitoba, Fantastic and Better Boy. “They’re very popular and produce well,” he said.

Tymiak also explained tomatoes can be grown from cuttings, so if a plant can be cut down and potted, you end up with two plants as the original plant regrows from the root.

As much as tomatoes grow for Tymiak the simple radish is something of a nemesis.

“I seem to have trouble with radishes.

Everything else I’ve tried grows well,” he said, adding that “every year is different” based on the weather.

In the winter, like his garden Tymiak rests.

“I stay inside where it’s nice and cozy by the fire place looking at seed catalogues,” he said.

And even after all these years in the garden Tymiak looks to try new varieties.

“There’s always something new, some new variety that is just out,” he said, adding “there are 10,000 varieties of tomatoes alone.”

garden was tops in the local Gardens in Bloom competition.

Photos of his cabbage and his Kelsey onions have been included in the T&T seeds catalogue as a prime example of the variety.

He has sat on the Saskatchewan Horticultural Society, including a stint as president.

And, he has become something of an expert on tomatoes, his favourite garden plant.

“My passion is growing tomatoes,” he said. “I’ve been asked to give many presentations on growing

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Yorkton This Week | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Wednesday, August 28, 2019

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AUGUST 2019

How to increase your appetite Have you noticed that your appetite isn’t what it used to be? A slower metabolism and decreased activity levels may mean you need fewer calories than you once did. Alternatively, certain medical issues and medications may cause your appetite to shrink. Plus, your taste buds can change as you get older, making meals you once enjoyed seem bland and unappealing.

However, though there may be perfectly legitimate reasons for the reduction in your appetite, not eating enough can lead to significant weight loss and malnutrition. Here are a few ways to make meals more appealing and to get the calories

Therefore, instead of upping your portion sizes, add nutrient- and calorie-dense foods to your meals and snacks like avocado, nuts, whole milk products and olive oil.

and nutrients you need.

• Use spices and herbs.

Try to avoid using excessive salt and sugar to improve taste, as these can be unhealthy.

• Eat with others.

Some seniors find cooking for one difficult or lose their appetite due to depression or loneliness. If you’re faced with this issue, invite friends and family members to join you for meals.

Alternatively, consider planning weekly meals with a church or community group in your area.

• Embrace finger foods. Do arthritis or shaky hands make using utensils difficult? If so, choose meals that can be eaten with your hands like sandwiches, fruit and pizza.

If none of these practices help, meal replacement drinks can provide you with the calories you need to flourish. It may also be a good idea to ask your doctor about appetite-enhancing medications.

• Pack your meals with calories. A large plate of food may seem daunting when you’re used to eating small meals.

Four ways seniors can alleviate loneliness Are you feeling isolated or flat out lonely?

If so, here are four ways to enrich your social life, connect with others and alleviate loneliness.

1. Adopt a pet Caring for a pet can mitigate feelings of loneliness. If your situation allows for it, welcoming a

ally. Make a habit of running a few errands every day or visiting your local library, movie theatre or park. If you’re limited in terms of mobility, leaving the house regularly may require a mobility scooter or going on seniors’ trips with a trusted organization.

furry friend into your life could be a great idea. You might even meet other pet owners, especially if you take your animal companion out for a walk from time to time.

2. Leave the house Venturing outdoors will help you feel better both mentally and physic-

3. Join a class or group Rekindling your interest in an old hobby or adopting a new one can be a great way to push the cobwebs of loneliness away. What’s more, joining clubs and taking classes will allow you to meet new people. If you prefer, there are plenty of courses and groups

that cater specifically to seniors.

4. Reach out There are a number of organizations that help seniors improve their quality of life. Some may be able to provide individual counselling to help you move beyond your loneliness.

Additionally, there may be group counselling sessions where you can connect with others going through a similar experience.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to rush anything. The best way to move beyond loneliness is at your own rhythm.

Staying healthy and happy as you age Every year since 1991, the United Nations has recognized October 1 as International Day of Older Persons. It’s an opportunity to both

iors are striving to live healthy lives in order to more fully enjoy their later years. Here are some tips to stay sharp physically and mentally,

reflect on the impact our elders make on society and to raise awareness about the issues that affect them today.

Increasingly, sen-

How retirees can make new friends Has your social circle diminished over the years? If so, it can be difficult to make new friends as you get older.

Here are some tips that might help.

1. Be proactive. Go out and meet people.

Libraries, cafes and neighbourhood gatherings are all ideal places to mingle. Alternatively, take a class that interests you, volunteer with a charity or join a club.

2. Seize opportunities.

If someone invites you to an event or on an outing, accept! Don’t make excuses just because you’re nervous. If you meet someone you like, make plans to see them again soon.

3. Be interested. Listen to others and be interested in what they have to say. Smile, ask questions and don’t monopolize the conversation.

4. Keep in touch.

Meeting new people isn’t the only way to enrich your social life. It can be just as rewarding, if not more so, to get in touch with old friends. You may be surprised at how easily you’re able to reconnect.

There’s no shortage of ways to meet new people.

Search the internet to

no matter how old you are.

• Eat well. Choose nutrient-packed whole foods over those that are processed or refined. If you have trouble preparing meals, ask for help.

There are many companies and organizations that can deliver meals to you.

• Stay connected.

Studies show that seniors with active social lives have a decreased risk for dementia. Spend time with family, friends and acquaintances. Pets are also great companions.

• Take care of your body. Get plenty of exercise, don’t smoke and only drink in moderation.

• Learn something new. Mentally stimulat-

ing activities help keep your brain healthy and may stave off dementia.

Take a class, read a book or take up a new hobby.

• Get enough sleep. If you experience insomnia, there are ways to beat it. Go to bed and wake up at the same hour every morning, use your

bed only for sleeping and avoid caffeine, alcohol and naps.

Above all, try to laugh every day, even if you have to fake it at first.

Laughing lowers stress levels, decreases your risk of heart disease and may improve your memory.

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Alternatively, take regular walks around your

neighbourhood. It’ll keep you in shape and you’ll get to know people in the area.

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