Yorkton This Week | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Wednesday, June 24, 2020
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SENIORS Our Monthly Feature ...For Seniors and about Seniors
Off appreciates driving for Film Festival By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer Larry Off says being a volunteer is something he feels a good citizen should do if they are able. “I like to put something back into the community,” he said. Off added that helping out was also a way to forge contacts. “When I was in business it was a way of making contacts,” he said. Of course when you
are working your time is more limited as a volunteer. In Off’s case he started out his work career in the agriculture sector. “I started life as a livestock auctioneer,” he said, adding it was in 1973 that he took his training at the Western Canada School of Auctioneering in Lacombe, AB. Off said his father “was kind of an auction kind of guy,” always taking his son with him to
the livestock sales. “I was a yard ape. It’s what they used to call us,” he said with a grin. Back in Yorkton he worked with the then Sask. Wheat Pool stockyards for seven years, but when the company suggested a move to Lloydminster, Off said he balked at the idea, as he and his wife wanted to remain in the city. “We (with his late wife Eunice), made the decision we were going to
stay here, that it was the place to make our home,” he said. So for Off it was time for a career change, a rather dramatic one, going from livestock auctioneer to insurance sales, although he noted an outgoing personality and the ability to talk to people were key elements of both. Off joined Independent Agencies and remained there until his retirement, when his
focus went back to helping out more as a volunteer. Off, 67, said over the years he has volunteered for a variety of good organizations and events in the community. “I sort of spread it out a bit,” he said with a smile. As a result of the spreading his volunteer time around Off has helped the Health Foundation with both Rhythm ‘n Ribs, and their annual road race, coached his children over the years in minor baseball (sons Travis and Tyson and daughter Alanna), spent time riding around the city looking for signs of trouble with Citizens On Patrol, and put on more miles driving the shuttle service for the Yorkton Film Festival. Off said he has perhaps most enjoyed his efforts with the film festival. “It was 2011, and I was newly semi-retired so this gave me some extra volunteer time and I was asked by my sister in law Randy Goulden if I would be interested in helping out with transportation for the festival,” he recalled, adding “transportation entailed picking up people at the Regina airport, bringing them to Yorkton and then returning them to Regina when their duties at the festival were complete. “I said yes and haven’t regretted the decision.” Again his natural ability to meet someone new and to strike up a con-
versation helped as Off sat behind the steering wheel of the shuttle van. Off said it is meeting interesting people that makes driving the shuttle fun. “In a word the ‘people’,” he said. “I’ve met quite a few filmmakers all who are very passionate about what they do. Any of them that are new to Saskatchewan have a lot of questions about the history, geography, economy, politics etc. and I enjoy providing them with some of the knowledge I have acquired over the years.” The element of being an ambassador of sorts for the province is a role Off said he relishes. “I love history, and when people ask questions ... I like to impart a little bit of the knowledge that I have,” he reiterated. Since Off drives people associated with film, who are some of the people he recalled best? “David Rabinovitch director of the series ‘The Sultans Women’ and Charlotte Engel a documentary producer from Toronto who attends every year and Daniel Cross director and coproducer of ‘I Am The Blues’ which is a wonderful history of some of the old Blues musicians,” offered Off. Off said Rabinovitch might have been his most interesting traveller in terms of a story to share, “He (Rabinovitch), was riding ‘shotgun’ as we had a fully loaded Continued on Page A16
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Wednesday, June 24, 2020 | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Yorkton This Week
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June 2020
10 fun things seniors can do online Regardless of your interests and hobbies, the internet can be a virtually endless source of entertainment. Here are 10 fun online activities that require little technical know-how. 1. Read You can stay up to date with the digital edition of your local newspaper or fill your virtual library with e-books of all kinds. Online magazines and blogs are also a rich source of reading material on a variety of topics. 2. Socialize
Whether you prefer to use video chat, email or social media, technology makes it easy to keep in touch with loved ones. It can also allow you to reconnect with old friends and establish new connections with likeminded people. 3. Shop Groceries, clothing, electronics and more can be purchased online. Visit the websites of merchants in your area to order anything you need or simply enjoy window shopping from your couch.
4. Listen If you love to listen to music, you can find plenty of it online in nearly every category and genre. Alternatively, delve into the world of podcasts to hear engaging interviews, tutorials, comedy shows and more. Audiobooks of all kinds are also worth exploring for those who love to listen to stories. 5. Learn Expand your knowledge or acquire a new skill from the comfort of your living room. By signing up for an online class,
you can learn how to speak another language, knit a sweater, play the piano or almost anything else. 6. Watch Leave the real world behind for a few hours while you settle in for a movie marathon or catch up on a TV show. Cute videos of cats and kids are also available if you’re looking for something to make you smile. 7. Play Whether you prefer puzzles, card games, board games or actionpacked video games,
there’s at least one online game you’re bound to enjoy. They can be played from a computer, tablet or smartphone. 8. Write Start a blog on a subject you’re passionate about or make up fairy tales for your grandchildren. Alternatively, get started on that memoir you’ve been meaning to write. You can share your work with the whole world or a select group of friends and family members. 9. Discover Marvel at works of
art or soak up some history. Plenty of museums and galleries around the world offer virtual tours of their exhibits. You can peruse their works at your own pace and avoid having to deal with crowds. 10. Reminisce Transfer photos from your camera to your computer and take a trip down memory lane. Try your hand at photo editing, put together a slideshow or print your best shots so you can preserve them in a scrapbook.
How to safely store digital photos Photographs allow you to capture and preserve memories, from travels and retirement parties to outings with the grandkids. But how can you make sure these digital files are kept safe? To start with, you’ll need to regularly transfer your pictures to your computer. Camera memory cards and USB keys are just temporary storage options. However, since a computer can be stolen and a hard drive can crash, you should
create duplicates of all your files to avoid losing them. One possibility is to copy your pictures onto CDs or DVDs. However, these storage discs can get damaged and have a limited capacity. Plus, disc drives are becoming a rarity on new computers. A more reliable solution is to upload files onto an external hard drive. Just make sure to store it somewhere other than your home. This will
ensure you don’t lose both the originals and the duplicates due to a fire, flood or burglary. However, the most secure way to preserve your digital memories is to save them to an online storage system or “cloud� such as Google Photos, iCloud, Flickr, Dropbox or OneDrive. These applications allow you to store your photos, access them from any electronic device and easily share them with family and friends. Best of all, you
don’t have to worry about your photos getting lost or damaged.
Once your pictures are safely stored, consider printing out your
best shots and displaying them in frames or collecting them in an album.
Types of exercise for all ages Physical activity is a key component of healthy aging. It helps you maintain mobility and improve your balance, which reduces the risk of falls and injury. Adequate exercise can also slow or prevent the onset of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Here are six activities to
keep you moving at any age. 1. Golf In addition to relieving stress, golf can improve your concentration. Opt to walk the course rather than rent a cart to get even more exercise. 2. Walking There are many physical and psychologic-
FESTIVAL Continued from Page A15 vehicle that day and once we got out of Regina he indicated that he hadn’t been to Yorkton since the late 1960s,� recalled Off. “He was currently living in Oregon, had been born and raised at Morden, MB educated in Winnipeg and then got into the film business. He had last been in Yorkton for the opening of the Anne Portnuff Theatre. Mrs. Portnuff was his aunt. He then went on to ask if I could drive him up to Canora on the Saturday as he wanted to check out one of the hotels. Turns out his grandfather and
grand uncle had built the hotel and were the original owners.� Off said it is a role he plans to continue, adding he missed that the festival was a virtual one
al benefits to walking. All you need is a sturdy pair of running shoes. Plus, you can do it almost anywhere. 3. Cycling This low-impact aerobic exercise helps with blood circulation, endurance and balance. It’s also a great way to get some fresh air and
because of COVID-19, meaning no one in need of shuttle service. “It’s fun,� he said, adding it is a way to help the community over a few days each year.
SHOP SMALL • • • • • •
explore scenic trails. 4. Swimming Since it’s a non-weightbearing exercise, swimming gives you a fullbody workout without putting pressure on your hips, knees and back. For a change of pace, take a water aerobics class.
6. Pickleball A cross between tennis, badminton and pingpong, this sport is a great way to express your competitive spirit without
straining your muscles and joints. Keep in mind that all of these options have the potential to be great social activities as well
5. Stretching Activities like Pilates, yoga and tai chi enhance flexibility, balance and muscle strength. They’re usually practised in a group and can be adapted to accommodate reduced mobility.
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Yorkton This Week | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Wednesday, June 24, 2020
A17
just for SENIORS
June 2020
How to become a birdwatcher Are you looking for a hobby now that you’re retired? If so, then birdwatching could be a great fit. All you need are binoculars, a species identification guide, a notebook and a good pair of walking shoes. This makes birding an affordable pastime. Plus, you can do it anywhere, from urban parks to forest trails. You can even take up birding in your own backyard. Since many species migrate, the types of birds that are active in your area will vary with
the seasons. This makes birdwatching an interesting hobby year-round. All it takes is patience, a keen eye and some free time.
If you’re ready to give it a try, consider joining a local birdwatching club. You’ll be able to access a wealth of knowledge, which will make your next excursion all the more enriching. Additionally, there are numerous publications and online resources you can consult to get more information about birding.
Signs it might be time to stop driving The ability to drive provides autonomy and freedom. Unfortunately, there may come a point when it’s no longer safe for you to get behind the wheel. Here are 10 signs that it’s time to give up your license. 1. You feel nervous and insecure behind the wheel 2. You often get disoriented or lost while driving 3. You regularly bump
into garbage cans or jump the curb 4. You have reduced peripheral vision and can’t see both sides of the road when looking ahead 5. You have trouble staying in your lane 6. Your reaction time is slow, and you’ve had a few close calls 7. You’re easily distracted and run stop signs or red lights 8. You take medication with side effects that may
impair your driving 9. You have reduced mobility that prevents you from checking your blind spots
10. You’re frequently honked at or gestured to by frustrated drivers If some of this applies to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to give up your license. Depending on your situation, it could be enough to avoid driving at night,
in bad weather or during rush hour. You might also benefit from having a passenger guide you when driving in an unfamiliar area. However, if your loved ones refuse to get in the car with you, it’s likely a sign that your driving has become dangerous. For their safety and yours, as well as other drivers, ask your doctor to assess you before getting back on the road.
Skin care after 60 Skin care is important regardless of age. As you get older, however, your skin changes significantly. Here’s a brief guide to choosing the skin care products that best meet your needs. Signs of change Everyone’s skin ages differently depending on their lifestyle and genetics. Here are the most common ways your skin can change as you get older: • Lines and wrinkles appear • Your skin begins to sag • The upper layer dries out • Age spots form • Your skin tone dulls Additionally, external factors such as air pollution and sun exposure can affect the health of your skin and exacerbate signs of aging. Focus on hydration A key component of your skin care routine should be helping your skin retain moisture. Here are a few crucial ingredients to look for in products for mature skin. • Hyaluronic acid. As you age, your skin loses the ability to produce this moisture-retaining molecule. Hyaluronic acid makes your skin more resistant to dehydration and gives it a healthy glow. • Ceramides. These Anti-aging vs. antiwrinkle Anti-wrinkle creams specifically target the lines and creases in your skin. Anti-aging products, however, help reduce various signs of aging including wrinkles, dryness, age spots and saggy skin.
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This newspaper is recyclable For advice on the best products for your skin, speak with a local cosmetician. If you’re concerned about your skin health, schedule a consultation with a dermatologist.
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just for SENIORS - IN PRINT AND ONLINE MONTHLY We want your feedback. Do you have a story idea or know a senior who should be highlighted? Contact us by phone 306-782-2465 or email sales@yorktonthisweek.com
OUR NEXT FEATURE - WEDNESDAY, JULY 29