Yorkton This Week | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Wednesday, December 26, 2018
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SENIORS Our Monthly Feature
…For Seniors and about Seniors
The hay rides, raising money for Ride for Sight, were the start of the Santa Claus Parade in Yorkton. Submitted Photo.
Angie Yaholnitsky and the riders on the hay rack, celebrating Christmas and encouraging people to honk. Submitted Photo.
Mrs. Claus returns to celebrate Christmas By Devin Wilger Staff Writer In 2017, Angie Yaholnitsky thought she was ready to retire. One of the founding members of the Yorkton Santa Claus Day Parade, she had become a fixture in the annual event by playing the role of Mrs. Claus. But, at 87, she decided that after a medical diagnosis of old age, it was time to retire.
So you may have been surprised to see her riding on the Pattison Ag. float in the 2018 parade. But you can’t keep Mrs. Claus away from the parade, and Yaholnitsky is proud of the parade she helped start. She admits that all it took was Cassidy Wagner from Pattison Ag., to ask if she wanted to do it, and she was back in the costume she made, performing as Mrs. Claus yet again.
For the Yaholnitskys, it all began with a hay ride, taken on Christmas when they had a house full of people. They got the family together and
got on the hay rack. Husband Frank was the instigator, because it was a beautiful day that year, and they wound up going to a neighbour’s farm and
singing Christmas carols. They decided to ride into town the next day to look at the lights in the city. “We borrowed a generator, we stripped the lights off the house. What are the police going to say? We phoned the police, and they said if you have enough lights, you can go. That was the beginning of what they called the ‘hot chocolate hayrides.’” The rides caught on quickly, with people
phoning to get their own ride on the wagon, with different organizations calling to get a ride of their own. They dressed up to make it more fun, and she said kids still talk to her about it. “You’ve got to make it exciting for the little guys.” She’s especially proud of the safety record - no injuries at all. They worked hard to maintain that record, instituting a Continued on Page B4
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Angie Yaholnitsky with her grandson, who played Santa Claus. Submitted Photo.
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Angie Yaholnitsky meets and greets while playing Mrs. Claus. She came out of retirement to take on the role again, after retiring last year. Submitted Photo.
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MRS. CLAUS Continued from Page B3 rule that anyone who stood up was immediately kicked off. They did not want to risk someone falling off the wagon. Even with 400 people on two racks, they had a perfect safety record. They included some seniors on the ride to help keep the law and keep everyone safe. They are also proud of the money they raised over the years. The Yaholnitsky family has been a long-time supporter of Ride for Sight, a charity where bikers raise money to fight blindness. Money from the hay rides all went to
the charity, and they are still raising money for it – the $200 prize money for the Pattison Ag. float winning Best Business Float went to the charity as well, as a tribute to her. Two of her sisters have lost their sight, so she has witnessed first hand how losing someone’s sight can change their life. “I always said I hope and pray I get left with my eyesight and my mind.” As it turned into a Santa Claus Day parade, Yaholnitsky is quick to mention that it took the entire city to get the parade off the ground.
Angie Yaholnitsky rides on the Pattison Ag. float in the 2018 Santa Claus Day Parade. Submitted Photo.
She mentions the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce as being the first group they got in contact with to start planning to make it an event, with help and donations from the Credit Union, Earl Fraser, Darren Dunn - who owned Canadian Tire at the time, McDonalds and Beaver Lumber. That’s just the people she can remember off-hand, and Yaholnitsky said that it was really everybody in the city that made the parade happen. “So many people were connected with it that it’s hard to mention everybody.” Proud of what she helped create, she admits that organizing a parade is a difficult task. “It was a lot of work, I couldn’t do it again.” The Christmas spirit might be genetic, because Yaholnitsky appears in a parade in the Auburn Bay neighborhood in Calgary organized by her daughter, though she admits that not everyone in her family goes all in to the same degree. She’s not even considering retirement anymore. She is already making plans to appear in the parade in 2019, and says that if she feels half as good as she does today, she’s going to be there, and plans to bring grandchildren and greatgrandchildren with her
Angie Yaholnitsky greets the crowd as Mrs. Claus. While she planned to retire from the role last year, she was back. Submitted Photo. to celebrate Christmas with the city. “I said make me a promise, Gido and I started this up, you keep it going. They said they would.” Whether she is there or not, Yaholnitsky said that a city like Yorkton should always have a Santa Claus Day parade.
Three tips for finding a senior-friendly tablet In the market for a tablet computer? With so many makes and models available these days, finding the right one for you is no easy task. Here are three smart tips to help you chose a great tablet that suits your needs. 1. CHOOSE A LARGE ENOUGH DISPLAY Pick a full-sized tablet
with at least a 25-centimetre (10 inch) display, especially if you have trouble seeing. A larger touchscreen is also more user-friendly and comfortable to use. 2. PREFER A SIMPLE USER INTERFACE Not entirely comfortable with computers and the like? Choose a tablet that runs on a simple
operating system featuring familiar icons and a straightforward layout. Don’t hesitate to try out several different models in store to find the one you like best. 3. THINK FUNCTIONALITY Make sure that the tablet you settle on is up-to-date with the latest technologies and has all the capabilities that
you’re looking for. If you wish to be able to contact your loved ones via email or video chat, play games, or take photos, for example, choose a device that will allow you to do so with ease. Finally, think ahead by making sure the brand of tablet you choose offers a solid technical support service. Happy shopping!
Angie Yaholnitsky and her “twin,” a baby born on her birthday, a few years later. Submitted Photo.
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A key component of retirement When the time comes to bid farewell to conference calls, meetings and daily commutes, retirees have open schedules to fill with whichever activities they choose. Travel is one exciting way to pass the time. Traveling can be a rewarding prospect for active seniors, particularly those who successfully preplanned for retirement and have the income to fund various excursions. Many seniors, both in the United States and Canada, find that travel tops their to-do lists once they retire. According to Senior Travel magazine, new travel options are emerging for newly minted retirees looking for
something a little different from the status quo. The list of destinations retirees have at their disposal is limitless. The following ideas are some of the more popular ways retirees choose to travel. • Road trips rule. Taking to the highways and byways is an excellent way to see the country. Seniors can customize their routes depending on which places they want to visit. RV travel can be as comfortable or as rustic as travelers prefer. Many seniors spend months traveling in their campers, which offer many of the same amenities of home. Campsites and special RV hookup sites offer the other necessities of traveling
the open road. • Genealogical tourism is popular. People hoping to trace their ancestry and visit their ancestral homelands are one of the fastest-growing travel segments. Visiting an old church in Europe where ancestors were married or buying food from a market in which a
great aunt or uncle once worked leads retirees on many international adventures. Such trips provide travelers with a unique opportunity to understand their roots up close and personal while enjoying some international travel along the way. • Exotic tours can be
exciting destinations. History buffs or adventure-seeking couples may be particularly attracted to exotic travel destinations that are slightly off of the beaten path. Travel tours may take vacationers to destinations such as excavation sites or backpacking through the rainforest. With passport in hand, seniors can go just about anywhere their desires take them. • Enjoy a relaxing seaside trip. A seaside vacation can be the perfect trip for seniors who want to put their feet up and sip some cocktails while watching the waves lap the shores. Many beach resorts offer all-inclusive packages for different age groups. Meals, excur-
sions and hotel rooms can be bundled into one affordable, confusionfree price. • Go cruising. Speaking of all-inclusive vacationing, cruising seems tailor-made for those ages 50 and older because it offers the convenience of accommodations, food, entertainment, and transportation all in one. The various activities offered on the ship mean travelers can find ways to spend their time how they see fit. Cruising couples can opt to spend all of their time on the ship enjoying carefully prepared meals and entertainment or disembark and explore the various ports of call along the way.
Four types of memory-boosting games 2. OBSERVATION GAMES Look at an image for one minute, then ask someone to quiz you on what you saw. Spot the difference puzzles like the ones often found in newspapers are also good for you memory.
Memories fade, and even more so as we get older. Fortunately, it’s possible to keep your brain sharp well into your gold years – and to have fun while you’re at it! Here are four suggestions for stimulating games that can help preserve your memory. 1. ASSOCIATION GAMES Remember those matching games, where you’d have to find pairs
among a deck of cards placed face down on a table? They aren’t just for kids! You can find all
sorts of versions made for adults, with inspiring themes such as travel and nature.
A few tips for choosing the right equipment
Be sure to adjust
cise for your brain. There are all kinds of activities that can help preserve and strengthen your memory. Have fun!
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Have you been finding it difficult to get around recently because of your physical condition? Do you have to use the walls and furniture to support yourself when moving from one room to another? Has taking your shower become an increasingly perilous activity? If so, there are many benefits to be gained from acquiring some specialized equipment to improve your mobility and safety. WALKING STICKS Walking sticks or canes have been evolved considerably in recent years and are now available in a multitude of models to suit all tastes, needs and budgets. Walking sticks of all kinds are now available in specialty stores and pharmacies: • Adjustable length • Foldable • Ergonomic handles • All-terrain tips • Three legs (tripod) or four (tetrapod) • Integrated lights • Fashionable patterns
3. WORD GAMES Either played alone or against an opponent, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, Boggle and other word-based games are good for stimulating your memory.
ers remember their previous move or their previous move of their opponent. Card and tabletop games such as Battleship and Risk are great exer-
WALKERS If you’re unsteady on your feet and need to use a walker, choose a robust model that is light and easy to handle. Some come equipped with a variety of options, such as a back and a padded seat as well as a storage basket for your belongings.
walking sticks properly before trying them out. According to the experts, the top of the handle should be level with your wrist when you’re standing up, arms along the
GRAB BARS Grab bars can make all the difference in the daily life of a person with reduced mobility. They should be installed in strategic locations, especially in the bathroom. However, make sure that this kind of safety equipment is securely installed by a competent person. Walking sticks, walkers and grab bars can help simplify your daily activities.
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OUR NEXT FEATURE - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26