INSPIRED 55+ lifestyle magazine
APRIL 2019
THE HONOURABLE JANET AUSTIN, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF BC
TRAVEL CANADA: TRAIPSING THROUGH OLD QUÉBEC LOTS TO LOVE ABOUT PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND TUCKING INTO VICTORIA’S CULINARY SCENE
Inspiration for people over 55
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Janet Austin: For Queen and Country by John Thomson Traipsing Around Quaint Old Québec by Jane Cassie Hope’s Master Wood Carver by Rick & Chris Millikan Victoria’s Trendy Food Scene by Kate Robertson The Personalities of Saguenay and Lac Saint-Jean by Kate Robertson A Hiker’s Paradise in BC Parks by Estelle Noakes Island Magic by Ian Carter
REBOOT 17 FOREVER FIT 20 FAMILY CAREGIVER 26 MARKETPLACE 27 COURAGEOUS & OUTRAGEOUS
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INSPIRED 55+ lifestyle magazine
Cover The Honourable JANET AUSTIN, BC’s 30th lieutenant governor, with her Vice-Regal Canine Consort McDuff. Photo by Sean Doe 4 2
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Publisher Barbara Risto Managing Editor Bobbie Jo Reid editor@seniorlivingmag.com Office Assistant Shannon Nichols 250-479-4705 office@seniorlivingmag.com Advertising Sales Kathie Wagner 250-479-4705 x 103 Head Office 3354 Tennyson Ave., Victoria, BC V8Z 3P6 | 250-479-4705 Subscriptions (12 issues): $33.60 includes GST, S&H. Canadian residents only. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. INSPIRED Magazine is an independent publication and its articles imply no endorsement of any products or services. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for compliance with all copyright laws related to materials they submit for publication. INSPIRED Magazine is distributed free throughout British Columbia by Stratis Publishing Ltd. 12 issues per year. ISSN 2562-1041 (Print) ISSN 2562-105X (Online)
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The lieutenant governor’s duties are both symbolic and ceremonial. Photos provided by Her Honour’s office.
JANET AUSTIN:
FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY by JOHN THOMSON Tucked away behind the rhododendrons, hostas and hellebores, two-and-a-half kilometres west of the Legislative Assembly, Victoria’s Government House is a local landmark. The surrounding gardens featuring BC plants and trees (and an impressive English Country Garden, as well) draw hundreds of locals and tourists every year. It is also the official residence of BC’s lieutenant governor, the vice-regal representative of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Vice-regal representative? Visitors wandering the grounds may wonder what exactly is a vice-regal? And what goes on inside that magnificent Modern Tudor mansion? Its present occupant, The Honourable Janet Austin, understands. She is, after all, the current lieutenant governor, appointed in June 2018 and the 30th holder of the position. 6 4
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“It connects us to a tradition of stability,” she says, explaining her role. “It connects us to the history and tradition of parliamentary democracy, of equality under the law. These are basic democratic conventions.” Her Honour says her position sets Canada apart from many other countries in the world “where we see a fair bit of dysfunction and instability right now. I’m a firm believer that our constitutional monarchy is a bit of a steadying rudder for our country.” Her role is both symbolic and ceremonial. She hands out medals and citations, greets dignitaries and hosts the annual New Year’s Day levee at Government House. Yes, she has met the Queen (at a private audience last October) and her staff keeps Buckingham Palace apprised of what’s going on in BC as a matter of courtesy.
Some may think the position archaic and irrelevant. Irrelevant? Just think back to the last provincial election when thenpremier Christy Clark, in search of a majority, asked the previous lieutenant governor, The Honourable Judith Guichon, to send British Columbians back to the polls. Instead, Guichon called upon John Horgan to form a minority government. “I was guided by what’s best for the province and what would produce the best result for British Columbians,” she said at the time. In constitutional matters, the office of lieutenant governor reigns supreme. Her Honour Janet Austin says she shares the former lieutenant governor’s prudence. “I’m not a constitutional lawyer but I think I have a pretty reasonable grasp. Should I be in a position where I’m required to make a key decision, I will have access to excellent legal advice. I feel confident in my judgment. I would deal with it very seriously and very diligently.” Commitment. Her friends say that describes the present lieutenant governor perfectly. Born and raised in Calgary, Her Honour relocated to BC in 1988 to oversee new social housing builds, driven by a desire to help others. “It’s always been important to me to make a positive contribution,” she says, “and BC Housing provided that opportunity.” In 2002, she became the CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver, overseeing a network of staff, offices and outreach initiatives providing services to 60,000 men, women and children a year. She also served as the executive director of Big Sisters of BC and sat on the Board of Translink. Like other accomplished administrators, she joined the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, eventually becoming its chair in 2014. Life was good. Her career was progressing smoothly. Then suddenly, out of the blue, she was summoned to the phone. “I received a call in February 2018 from the Prime Minister’s Office, and I assumed they were calling because the PM was coming to town, and perhaps there was an event they wanted me to attend. They told me the reason they were calling was because they wanted my permission to do a security clearance for a possible appointment as lieutenant governor. That was the first I heard of it. I was very surprised. I think I’m a relatively modest person,” continues Austin. “I assumed they were talking to other people. They told me it was a pos-
sible appointment, so I didn’t assume I would be the leading candidate.” Modest, yes, but not shy. And not about to shirk from the responsibilities that come with being a vice-regal. When the Prime Minister called to ask if she would accept the role, she enthusiastically agreed. “I don’t see myself as someone who craves the spotlight but I’m not uncomfortable in a public role. When it’s part of the job, you take on that responsibility as well,” she says. “Janet walks in the room, she says hello, and you fall in love with her,” says Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia, CEO of Vancouver’s Century Plaza Hotel and co-founder of the Pacific Autism Family Network. They met years ago at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade when LisogarCocchia was the board’s chair. “Janet’s fantastic to watch in a boardroom setting,” she says, recounting an earlier board meeting. “She was one of a few in the room that had a strong opinion on the matter and because she was factually stating her position, she held her own. She just held strong to it and asked for more research on the topic. Later [the proposal] came back and was accepted.” “She’s a very collaborative person. That’s one of her greatest strengths,” adds Evi Mustel, founder and CEO of the market research firm Mustel Group. “I mean, when you’re in a room with the Board of Directors, I think there’s 36 of them, and they’re all strong personalities, she was very good at bringing all the different factions together and listening to everyone’s point of view. If I had to pick one word to describe Janet, I’d say passionate. She really pushes herself when she’s passionate about the issues she’s concerned about. She’s a very strong bridge-builder.” As the province’s 30th lieutenant governor, Her Honour has continued her penchant for hard work and bridge building. In the first four months of her term, she attended, addressed or participated in nearly 200 activities. They included handing out service awards, hosting teas and entertaining visiting dignitaries. She is also the official patron of 50 arts, military and service organizations. Her role is largely prescribed by custom and tradition, but Her Honour wants to be more than be a figurehead. “There are three things I’d like to champion in my term. The first is promoting equality, inclusion, diversity and pluINSPIRED | APRIL 2019
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Snapshot with The Honourable Janet Austin If you were to meet your 20-year-old self, what advice would you give her? “Take more risks. The older I get, the more confident I’ve become. When you’re young and perhaps not as confident, you’re less likely to put yourself in different situations. I think, yeah, I would have been more adventurous.” Who or what has influenced you the most and why? “I had wonderful parents who came from a very strong ethical framework and moral compass, you could say, and that definitely influenced my views about what’s important in life and in society. Someone I think is marvellous is Nelson Mandela. Very few people, I think, would be able to reach out the way he did and turn an enemy into an ally. It’s something we need a lot more of.” What are you most grateful for? “My health, my family and the privilege of doing meaningful work.” What does success mean to you? “Making a difference. It means contributing in a positive way. It means leaving the world a better place, however you want to frame it.” | 8
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ralism. Number two, I’d like to be a voice championing reconciliation with our indigenous peoples, and the third is around democracy. These issues are important to society and they’re important to me, so it’s about bringing profile to them. This can be done in a number of ways. It can be done through public speaking, it can be done through handling our communications more broadly at Government House, and it can be done through work I might do to align with and champion other organizations and individuals where there’s an alignment of goals and values.” Case in point, Her Honour organized a roundtable and breakfast at the Vancouver Club last September. “I brought together a group of contacts to lay out for them what my three priorities were, to talk through some practical elements of how they may be executed, what concrete tasks we were looking at and to get their feedback.” “That’s Janet to the core. It’s not words, it’s action,” says Lisogar-Cocchia who attended the function. “She really means it, and she makes it happen. I have no doubt we’ll see measurables with those three initiatives.” With hundreds of public events in addition to pursuing her own objectives on her plate, Her Honour admits she has a busy schedule. “A lot of my time goes into preparing for public speaking. I take the time to learn about the organizations I’m meeting with and I’m speaking to and I do my very best to understand the issues that are critical to them. So, I would say, in terms of how I spend my time, it’s probably a split between preparation, attendance at events and hosting. There’s no such thing as a weekend,” she admits. Life at Government House sounds grand – there’s a staff of
18, consisting of an operations team, communications and support people, an executive chef and sous chef, service staff and a maintenance man – but despite being surrounded by impressive meeting rooms and the staff to maintain them, Her Honour says living at Government House isn’t that much different from before. She lives in a two-bedroom apartment within the building with her husband His Honour Ashley Chester and the Vice-Regal Canine Consort McDuff Austin-Chester. McDuff is a charming West Highland Terrier. “He’s good at his job,” Austin laughs. “He’s an ambassador for the House. He’ll come down and shake a paw with people who are in attendance. He attracts a crowd. Often there’s a lineup to cuddle him.” McDuff, incidentally, has his own Insta-
gram account and webpage (check it out at http://ltgov.bc.ca/vice-regal-canineconsort-macduff-austin-chester). The vice-regals like to keep things simple. His Honour Ashley Chester is a good cook and, unless there’s an official event occurring, in which case the kitchen staff takes over, “we cook for each other.” Her Honour likes to hike and ride her bike to decompress. “Sometimes, I’ll run,” she says. She’s a voracious reader and an ardent swimmer. The outdoor swimming pool is a welcome resource. Mind you, navigating the connection between the pool and the residence can be tricky as Her Honour remembers from an incident last September. “I had to prop the door open so I could go for a swim and when I finished to get back in, the door was closed. I was out in the pool area thinking how am I going to get back? I faced the security camera and waved and pointed to the door, but nobody happened to be looking at it at that moment. So, I thought well, I’ll just have to climb over the fence and ring the doorbell. And that’s what I did.” One can imagine the surprise when security answered the bell. As for the future, Her Honour’s term lasts another four years and, although it can be extended, she’s unsure about what she’ll do next. “I’ll be 66 when I’m done, and it’ll be important to me to stay engaged in the community and continue to do work that is meaningful. Whether that’s volunteer or paid work I have no idea. I don’t really have any plans. I think we’ll just wait to see what life offers, but I’ll definitely remain engaged in the community and in the province.” In the meantime, she’s delighted to carry on, doing meaningful work as she puts it, in the service of the Crown. “It’s a privilege to be in a position to meet people from other countries, to meet visiting diplomats, to meet people who have distinguished themselves and I really enjoy the opportunity to engage with organizations that do really splendid work on behalf of communities throughout the province. I take it as a very important responsibility.” |
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TRAIPSING AROUND QUAINT OLD QUÉBEC by JANE CASSIE We discover during this visit to Old Québec that all you need is a good pair of walking shoes and a yearning to discover this city’s colourful past. Come along on our selfguided tour and enjoy some of the historical icons, cultural offerings, tasty eateries and charming landmarks. We tighten our laces and head to the high point on our walk, La Citadelle, a star-shaped fortress atop Cap Diamant that was built to fight off Americans after they attacked British Quebec in 1775. Year-round guided tours include access to the museum and, in summer months, the Changing of the Guard ritual. “As well as a National Historic site, this is still an active military base,” we’re told by Kala, our enthusiastic leader. “And it’s coined the Gibraltar of the Americas due to its strategic cliff-side location.” Hugging up to the west side of this fortification are the grassy Plains of Abraham where, on September 13, 1759, British General Wolfe successfully led his men up the nearby steep banks for a bloody battle against the unprepared French. Today, this killing field has been delightfully transformed into pastoral-like green space, laced with walking and biking trails. To get the full scoop of this historical war zone, you can mosey through the Plains of Abraham Museum located just outside the city walls. En route to Old Québec, we stroll the tree-lined Grand Allée where sidewalk cafés hug up to high-end shops, partake in the 45-minute tour of the Renaissance-style Parliament Building, then take time to smell the flowers at Parc de l’Esplanade, a now flourishing garden that was used for military exercises in the eighteenth century. Porte St-Louis is the impressive stone entranceway (circa 1693) that leads to Old Upper Town and beyond is a maze of 10 8
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crooked streets that all possess European-like charm. “It’s strange,” my husband says, as we amble past gift shops, chichi galleries and a string of yummy-smelling restaurants. “I keep thinking we’re in France, not Canada.” Although this may be because everyone is speaking French, it’s more likely due to the fusion of Nouvelle France architecture with this city’s wonderful food! So far during our stay, we’ve feasted on crêpes at L’Omelette, filled up on patisseries at popular Paillard and tried the Table d’ Hôte at Le Louis-Hébert, a menu option that includes hors d’oeuvre, entrée and dessert for one low price. Très bon! And when our taste buds have had a yearning for other ethnic edibles, there have been lots to choose from. The Italian pastas at the Restaurant Parmesan and pub grub at D’Orsay get our two thumbs up – clearly, it’s easy to get sidetracked with all the delicious options. Speaking of which, let’s get back to that guided walk! From the main street of St. Louis, we veer left onto Rue des Jardins and discover the Ursuline Convent. Founded in 1693, it’s the oldest girls’ school on the continent. Today, the monastery still houses 50-or-so nuns and serves as the General Motherhouse of the Ursuline Sisters. The nearby museum provides an extensive overview from beginning to current times. Bear right onto Ste Anne and you’ll discover the modestly decked-out Cathedral of Holy Trinity, erected in 1800. A block further, boasting a lot more glitz and glitter is the impressive
ABOVE | Château Frontenac is an iconic edifice on Québec City’s skyline. RIGHT | Lower Town with the funicular that takes visitors down – and up. TOC PAGE | Touring La Citadelle. Photos: Brent and Jane Cassie
Basilica-Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec, a structure that rose to the rank of metropolitan church in 1844, minor basilica in 1874, and primate church in 1956. And in Broadmead 1989, it was deemed a National Historical site. The next must-see and hard to miss icon is Château Frontenac. Turrets and spires soar from the roof of this grand Broadmead dame and dominate Old Québec’s skyline. It’s easy to see why she’s the most photographed hotel in the world. Completed in 1893, this beauty was the brainchild of William Van Horne, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Over the years, she has hosted a line-up of renowned guests: Winston Churchill, Alfred Hitchth cock and Paul McCartney, to name a few. th Our nearby boutique hotel, Château Fleur de Lys, built in 1876, also provides current day luxuries while transporting us back to a bygone era. Exquisite Nordic bedding, Don’t miss the first annual Pharmasave Broadmead Health Expo flat-screen TVs and an attentive concierge, Don’t miss the first annual Pharmasave Health Expo with experts sharing insight on a wide variety ofBroadmead health issues, who provides us with everything from and store-wide including... with experts sharingdemonstrations insight on a& information wide variety of health issues, restaurant recommendations to walking and store-wide demonstrations & information Travel information with our Pharmacy Travel Expert - Rand including... routes. Ideal Protein demonstrations and information
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- including complimentary Body Composition Analysis Travel information with our Pharmacy Travel Expert - Rand Home Health Care demonstrations with industry experts IdealProtein demonstrations and information Vitamin information, demonstrations & samples Nutrition &complimentary Lifestyle Counselling Body information - including Composition Analysis Young Blood & Osmosis cosmetic make overs and information HomeHealth demonstrations with industry experts Store-wideCare ‘gift with purchase’ offers, coupons, samples and more! Vitamin information, demonstrations & samples NutritionTry&outLifestyle Counselling information the Arthritis Symptom Checker! The Arthritis System Checker is an online survey where the public can fill out symptoms Young Blood & Osmosis cosmetic make overs information and the survey will produce potential indications. The staff from and the Arthritis Society and Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists will be on-hand at the Expo to answer Store-wide ‘gift with purchase’ offers, coupons, samples and more! your questions and guide you through the survey. Visit us on May 4th to take the survey and find out more!
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Yes, now back to our tour! For a pretty panorama of the adjacent St. Lawrence River, we head to nearby Terrasse Dufferin, a popular 425-metrelong boardwalk that divides the Upper from Lower Town. In summer, this hot spot is home to street buskers, in winter the Toboggan Run, and year-round to the statue of Samuel de Champlain, a French explorer who created the first settlement here back in 1608. There are two ways to descend to Lower Town. Take the easy way via the Funicular, an elevator-type ride that quickly scales the stiff cliff-side. Or stretch your hamstrings and trek the many stairs. Yes, of course, we
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The Arthritis System Checker is an online survey where the Village public canCentre fill out symptom Broadmead Shopping 310 - 777 Royal Oak Drive from | Phone:the 250.727.3505 and the survey will produce potential indications. Thewww.pharmasavebroadmead.com staff Arthritis Society an Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists will be on-hand at the Expo to answe your questions and guide you through the survey.
Visit us on May 4th to take the survey and find out more!
opt for the latter. The perch on Côtes de la Montagne, provides us with a bird’s eye view of Quartier Petit-Champlain, North America’s oldest commercial district that touts 17th and 18th century buildings. We browse through bistros and boutiques that spill onto cobblestone streets, peek into Église Notre-Damedes-Victories, North America’s oldest stone church built in 1688 and pose with Jacques Cartier and other historical figures in front of 420-square-metre Trompe-l’oeil mural. Rue Sous-le-Cap,
Québec’s narrowest street and former red-light district is just a block beyond, and a string of antique stores await at Pharmasave Broad Broadmead Village Shopping the foot of Rue St-Paul. 310 - 777 Royal Oak Drive | Phone: 250.72 Before we hoof back up the www.pharmasavebroadme hill, we give our feet a rest and rent a bike. The view from the cycling path that borders the St. Lawrence is spectacular and with just a little pedal power, we enjoy an entirely different perspective of quaint Old Québec. | For IF YOU GO information, visit www. seniorlivingmag.com/quaint-old-quebec INSPIRED | APRIL 2019
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HOPE’S MASTER WOOD CARVER by RICK & CHRIS MILLIKAN Reasons abound for heading up the Fraser Valley to Harrison Hot Springs. This time, we attend the International Woodcarvers Competition in Hope, Canada’s Chainsaw Carving Capital. Before the big event, we visit one of the competition’s famed woodcarvers. Unlike other contestants, Pete Ryan resides on the edge of Hope, BC. Skirting his roadside gallery, we cut through his backyard strewn with eclectic artwork and enter his large barn-cum-workshop. There, this rugged and downto-earth guy is cutting out an eagle using a small chainsaw. Behind him stands an almost finished red cedar bench. In the middle sits a carved Sasquatch, his long hairy arms extending atop both sides. Spying us through sawdust-speckled goggles, Pete pauses to chat. Following some brief introductions, we ask him about the bench. “I’m making that bench for Hope City Hall,” he smiles. “It’ll be our friendly welcome to visitors!” We ask how he got into woodcarving. “My father worked in an Ontario sign shop, hand painting billboards and trucks. I learned a lot from him,” Pete recounts. “Eventually, my jobs in that province became pretty ho-hum… so I moved to British Columbia.” “Native work, especially totem poles, immediately impressed me. Then in some mall, I saw Don Colp’s spectacular creation of art. I decided this was my kind of work,” Pete grins. “Colp was a pioneer in chainsaw art… a prolific carver earning a good living selling elegant fine wood sculptures. Starting in the early 196’s, Don continued carving into his 80s. He encouraged his son to become a carver, too. You’ll be seeing Mark competing tomorrow.”
TOP | Master carver Pete Ryan in his workshop. MIDDLE | Rockwell Harrison Guest Lodge rests on the edge of Sasquatch Provincial Park. BOTTOM | Pete Ryan’s Grizzly Bear. Photos: Rick & Chris Millikan 12 10
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“I fashioned rifle stocks for friends, so I did have some skills, but Don inspired me to become a serious artist. This led me to enroll in a four-year course at Minneapolis Art School. The classes were great! Jack Unruh, an illustrator for Field and Stream Magazine, was even one of my instructors,” Pete recalls. “And I just applied what I learned to woodcarving.” According to his website, Pete has carved on the west coast for over 43 years… one log at a time! Inside his gallery, Pete initially points out his backroom’s taxidermic critters. “These lifelike models help me portray realistic details,” he says and shows us the accuracy of his sculpted animals. We examine the number of eagle feathers; the lengths of bear claws and shapes of fish scales. Other artwork, like Miss Piggy wearing a white karate robe, reflects his vivid imagination. Thanking Pete for sharing his story and perspective on this unique art, we set out on a 30-minute drive to our accommodation. Leaving Hope, we cross scenic Seabird Island, wind through Agassiz and skirt Harrison Hot Springs to the edge of Sasquatch Provincial Park. There, at Rockwell Harrison Guest Lodge, hosts Kristy and Roy welcome us into their dream home. Huge yellow cedar trunks form support beams and posts, rustically framing walls and high ceilings. The den, kitchen and dining area flow together as an open bright, airy space. A hospitality room stocked with juices, tea, coffee and snacks includes a plate of home-baked goodies. The fresh scones prove delicious! The first of two pre-arranged dinners utilizes veggies from our hosts’ garden, delicious local salmon and fresh baked bread. Over dinner, our hosts share fishing tips, hiking advice and tell us village tales. We later schmooze with their lovely dog, Luca. Stairs made of lustrous reclaimed planks lead us up to our spacious bedroom for a restful sleep. Following a hearty breakfast, we return to Hope and locate Memorial Park, home to the Chainsaw Carving Competition. The park roars with chainsaws. Fine clouds of red cedar sawdust fill the air as contestants slice off sketched slabs of timber. Alongside Pete Ryan, Claude La Rock traces a design reflecting his First Nation’s culture. On Pete’s other side, Brigitte Lochhead, a graduate of Emily Carr University, crafts two leaping dolphins. Slovak Tomas Vrba represents classic European woodcarving. And yes, Don Colp’s son Mark buzzes away atop a high scaffold. “Pete’s the guru… the granddaddy… of Hope’s woodcarving,” an event host declares. “Decades ago, he turned the trunk of a dead Douglas fir into a magnificent eagle! That majestic bird triggered Hope’s love of woodcarving. Now known as Canada’s Chainsaw Carving Capital, our town showcases more than 80 resilient cedar carvings.” While these notable artists busily buzz in the park, we head for Hope’s tourism office and pick up a self-guiding Art Walk Map. The most sensational sight on our walk is Pete Ryan’s life-sized grizzly bear, bordering the opposite
side of the park. Most pieces along the walking tour similarly depict and celebrate BC’s wildlife: otters, marmots, sturgeon, moose, a killer whale, bobcats, wolves, mountain sheep, owls, eagles and bears. Over 30 sculptures surround Memorial Park, other small parks, the downtown area, District Hall Art Gallery and outlying neighbourhoods. In front of one motel, a bear family emerges as if finishing hibernation. Intricately fashioned cranes decorate one homeowner’s front lawn. Wooden cougars stalk the garden next door. Some sculptures stir viewers’ appreciation for noble causes and historic characters. A dog statue honours his heroics in the RCMP. A wall relief by Ryan pays similar respect to Rick Hanson. And his Eagle Helping the People extolls the Eagles Service Club’s community work. Several sculptures reflect Hope’s early days, including grizzled prospectors panning for gold, a lumberjack holding a large axe and a humorous white bearded woodsman hiding behind a stump from a bear perched atop. Other artwork conjures mythical creatures: gnomes, Sasquatch, wizards, elves… and an Ogopogo hatching from an egg. The most amusing stands below the railroad tracks, a bear dressed as a CN conductor. Inside the library, we discover an evocative tribute. A black raven and skull top a stack of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous books; a black cat prowls below. Two hours later, we return to Memorial Park and admire figures emerging from the logs. Traveling back to our digs, we stop to look at another Pete Ryan bench, located beside the log archway welcoming visitors to Harrison Hot Springs. Like his newer version, a pot-bellied Sasquatch presents a big toothy grin. On Saturday, competitors use smaller chainsaws and Dremel tools to add details to their artwork. Ryan Cook’s lion now perches in a tree above two prong-horned antelope. Miss Lochhead’s dolphins leap magically upward. Mark Colp’s mother bear and cub fish in a stream filled with salmon. Nearby, Jacob Lucas’ sinuous dragon winds up a pole. And from Pete Ryan’s gnarly log, a hospitable bear emerges. Waving us over, he places a seat between its paws… and sits down. He looks well pleased and pretty comfortable! In this Chainsaw Carving Contest, Chris Foltz wins first place and $3,000 for his audacious bearded snowboarder. Second, Jacob Lucas’ winged dragon earns $2,000. Pete is likely happy to see Mark Colp’s bear family receive third prize. The Peoples’ Choice Award of $1000 goes to Ryan Cook’s lion. Hope’s three-day world carving competition is held every two years. Returning in 2019, we plan to attend more events, including the speed carving contest, art auction, salmon BBQ, kids’ birdhouse painting and maybe an evening concert. Of course, the biggest draw is watching Pete Ryan and other masters transform those cedar logs into extraordinary works of art! | For IF YOU GO information, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/ hope-master-carver INSPIRED | APRIL 2019
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VICTORIA’S TRENDY FOOD SCENE by KATE ROBERTSON Cut off from the mainland, it can be hard for an island to be self-sufficient. But from coffee roasters to salt makers, when it comes to its food scene, Vancouver Island can take care of itself. Check out some of these unique culinary trends happening in Victoria and area.
The Latest in Coffee
Victoria might have its roots in tea, but Queen city residents love their cup of joe, as well, as evidenced by the more than 10 coffee roasters found in the city. At the trendsetting Discovery Coffee, try a cold brew, a process that tones down coffee’s acidity or, for something completely different, order a nitro-cold brew, coffee kegged and infused with nitrogen to give it a creamy mouth feel (the same process used by Guinness). At Discovery, they’re all about coffee education (there’s a full-time coffee educator on staff), so they offer a “coffee education series,” where you can learn more about things like coffee history or palate development/sensory perception and do a cupping (a tasting to learn about coffee notes and flavours). If you’re a long-time Victoria resident, you might remember 2% Jazz as an outdoor coffee kiosk that was located just yards away from their current location in the developing Hudson district. Before you order your latté at 2% Jazz, spend a few minutes watching the on-site roasters make the perfect batch of coffee beans. Then sink into the ambiance of what 2% describes as “a third wave café” with “a second wave feel.” If you didn’t even know that we’d left the first-wave coffee shop, second wave was the beginning of the coffee culture movement from “bad” coffee to better quality,
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specialty coffees; whereas third wave is the movement to consider coffee as an artisanal product – like wine.
Harvesting the Sea
Unlike inland ecosystems, Vancouver Island offers plentiful food from the sea: salmon, prized wild spot prawns, Fanny Bay oysters, creamy sea urchins, and line-caught halibut, just to name a few local delicacies. But Amanda Swinimer of Dakini Tidal Wilds knows the sea has much more to offer. Since 2003, Swinimer has been hand harvesting seaweed to make her own dried kelp and teas and to sell to local chefs at restaurants like the Q at the Fairmont Empress. On a tour with Swinimer, you can watch her harvest kelp at low tide as she teaches you about its health benefits (she says it’s the most concentrated mineral source on the planet and most easily assimilated by the body), and how to identify and cook with it. At Saltwest in Sooke, they also harvest the wealth of the sea to make hand-crafted gourmet sea salt. On a tour, you can learn all about their sea-extraction process and view the
ABOVE | Tempting, colourful macarons at La Roux Patisserie. RIGHT | Chef Shirley Lang offers Spirit Culinary Excursions, which introduce foodies to the natural delights of the forest. FAR RIGHT | Fir tip products at Snowdon House. TOC PAGE | Taiwanese Classic Bao at Bao restaurant. Photos: Kate Robertson
traditional sun-dried evaporation techniques they use before making their gourmet blends like spicy ancho chile or applewood smoked sea salt.
Feast from the Forest
Talk to any chef creating “true Canadian cuisine” (which celebrates peak seasonal ingredients and pulls strongly from indigenous roots), and you’ll hear enthusiasm for cooking with fir tips. At Snowdon House in North Saanich, they do more than cook with fir tips – they harvest their own from the 1,600 Douglas fir trees planted on their property. Founder, Laura Waters, has developed a line of products like vinegars, dipping sauces and bread mixes that feature the fir tips’ distinctive flavour. You can also experience all the forest has to offer with Spirit Culinary Excursions. On her Happy Trails Eco Edible Tour, founder and award-winning indigenous chef, Shirley Lang, together with an ethno-ecologist, will guide you on a walk through the rainforest before Chef Shirley creates a sumptuous feast incorporating the forest’s gifts – natural delights like wild goose tongue grass, wild sorrel and spruce tips.
unique poutine – an Indian mash-up of the Canadian favourite, made with cassava fries and paneer cheese, smothered with yummy butter chicken sauce. Then, on your way to Canada’s oldest China Town, listen to historical tales of Fan Tan Alley opium dens and casinos, prior to eating culinary delights like Asian-inspired noodle dishes at Bao, or “pretty, but not pretentious” French pastries at La Roux Patisserie (their flavour-selection of macarons is mind-boggling). Fudge lovers can rejoice with a stop at Catawampus Fudge & Funk, where they’ve been making the city’s best fudge for over 45 years. Are your taste buds watering? Put on your stretchy pants, then head out to discover some of these culinary delights. | For more information, visit Tourism Victoria at www.tourismvictoria.com
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Alberni Inlet & Pacific Nat’l Park
Learn More on a Foodie Tour
Even if you’ve lived in the city for years, you’re bound to learn a thing or two on a local tour with knowledgeable historians. On the Pedaler’s foodie cycling tour, you can sample some of the best local artisan food in the city with stops at places like Cold Comfort, where they specialize in smallbatch ice-cream (try the ice cream sandwich – hands down, the best you’ll ever taste), or Dobosala Cantina. Dobosala is the first Victoria restaurant to take advantage of a new bike lane that passes right in front of it, where they serve up flavourful Indo-Pacific fusion dishes (think crispy duck and pork samosa dumplings with tomatillo salsa verde and chili-date chutney) from their ride-through window. Off the Eaten Track’s walking tour will take you to places like the Public Market in the Hudson building, where you can sample flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pies from Victoria Pie Co. before you sit down to discover Sutra’s (part of the Vij family)
June 11-13, 2019 | 3 Days Ferries, ships and coaching are in store on this tour over to the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Scenic boat tour from Port Alberni to Ucluelet on the MV Francis Barclay. Pacific Rim Nat’l Park, MacMillan Cathedral Grove and the famous Coombs Country Market. $875 Cdn pp Dble occ. Plus GST.
Oregon Coast
June 23-27, 2019 | 5 Days Visit the spectacular Rose Test Gardens in Portland. Included highlights; Ocean front rooms, Evergreen Aviation and Space Museums, home to Howard Hughs’ Spruce Goose, Ride a specialized giant dune buggy and tour the Tillamook Cheese Factory. $1155 Cdn pp Dble occ. No GST
OTHER TRIPS • Olympic Peninsula & Washington Coastline, July 21-24: 4 Days • Kettle Valley Steam Train and the Okanagan, August 17-19: 3 Days • Maritimes Coastal Wonders, Sept 8-19 • Butchart Gardens & Miracle on 34th St. December 4-6: 3 Days • Leavenworth and Warm Beach Theatre: December 12-15: 4 Days • Panama Canal Cruise, January 5-24, 2020
DOOR-TO-DOOR PICK UP AND RETURN WITHIN THE LOWER MAINLAND CALL FOR YOUR 2019 BROCHURE TRAVEL PROTECTION BOB & TERESA MARSHALL INSPIRED | APRIL 2019
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THE PERSONALITIES OF SAGUENAY AND LAC SAINT-JEAN by KATE ROBERTSON Like people, places have their own personalities. When we arrive to a new destination, we decide, almost instantly, if we want to get to know it better, or pass on through. On my visit to Saguenay and Lac Saint-Jean, I found a region filled with character. But let me start at the beginning. In a moment of silence, an achingly beautiful rendition of Schubert’s “Ave Maria” seeps through the loud speakers on the outside deck of our Navettes Maritimes du Fjord marine shuttle, as all of us on board gaze up at the glistening white Notre Dame du Saguenay, vigilantly perched atop the cliffs, some 100 metres above us. Her benefactor, Charles Napoleon Robitaille, a travelling salesman who had almost died when he broke through the winter ice here on the Saguenay Fjord, had prayed for the Virgin Mary’s help, and the miracle prevailed. When Robitaille arrived home, he became ill and almost died, so again asked Mary for help. This time, he promised he would build a statue to honour her, if he lived. Robitaille survived to do so, and, in my mind, the third miracle is that in 1881 – pre-helicopter days – he was able to get this three-tonne wonder up to her final resting spot. Formed by glacial activity 1.2 million years ago, Saguenay Fjord connects Saguenay River to the St. Lawrence 16 14
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in the south. The fjord itself is protected, and due to a unique dual ecosystem where warm fresh water floats on salty, Arctic-stream water, it provides a home to more than 1,800 marine species, including several types of whales (it’s known for its belugas), harbour porpoises, dolphins and seals. Both shores of the fjord are home to Saguenay Fjord National Park, which offers a plethora of hiking, biking and outdoor adventures, and is also the trailhead for the 215-kilometre Sentier Notre-Dame Kapatakan pilgrimage trail. Starting from the Baie Éternité Discovery and Visitors Centre earlier in the morning, I’d shared the park’s 7.5-kilometre Statue Trail with a busload of energetic high school students. Their enthusiasm kept me moving at a good pace up through the steep forest and along the fjord’s highest cliffs to our destination – the outlook where the 7.5-metre-high Notre Dame du Saguenay towers benevolently over amazing views up and down Québec’s only fjord. I didn’t need to dig too deeply to feel the amazing spirituality of nature here.
ABOVE | The pretty village of L’ Anse-Saint-Jean on the Saguenay Fjord. INSET | Period costumes add to the historical authenticity of Val-Jalbert, once a thriving pulp mill company town. Photos: Kate Robertson
My shuttle ride ends at L’Anse Saint-Jean, one of the earliest settlements in the Saguenay region. Here, I find the beauty queen. L’Anse Saint-Jean is recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Québec, and as I indulge in a croissant at Boulangerie Artisanale Nuances de Grains, so light and flaky it’s like I’m eating sweet buttery air, I acknowledge how this beauty got that prize. It’s not only the good looks of the sparkling fjord and surrounding mountains or the warm, friendly residents, but she’s also filled with charming cafés, an ice cream shop, inns overlooking the bay (like Chalets sur le Fjord, where I stayed), and 19th and early 20th century architecture. And this glamour girl doesn’t just have regional fame – in the 1950s, she was featured on the back of the Canadian $1000 bill with her famous 1931 covered bridge (today filled with local art front-and-centre. The next day, an hour’s drive back northwest along the fjord route brings me to Chicoutimi, first settled as a fur trading post by the French in 1676. If the Saguenay Fjord is the spiritual one, and L’anse Saint Jean the beauty, Chicoutimi is the history keeper. At the Pulperie de Chicoutimi Regional Museum, now a National Historic Site of Canada, I browse the various multi-media exhibitions to learn about the pulp and paper mill’s workers and processes. The Chicoutimi Pulp Company opened here in 1896 for the hydraulic power it could get from the vertical drop on the Chicoutimi River. In the glory days of pulp and paper, 1,000 workers were employed, and the
company was the largest producer of mechanical wood pulp in Canada before going bankrupt in 1924. I’m surprised by the Arthur Villeneuve exhibition, a now famous Québécois naïve-style painter. This local barberturned-artist became fervent about his painting after attending a Sunday mass, where the faithful were implored to make use of their talents. Soon after, Villeneuve starting painting frescoes on the outside of his house (the entire structure has been moved inside the museum) depicting French Canadian history, local scenery and popular legends of the region. After Villeneuve had completely covered the outside of his home, he moved inside to paint every nook and cranny of the interior, even the windows. The museum grounds are no less incredible, and as I follow the interpretive signs along the trails, I’m amazed by the exceptional intactness of the mill buildings. With their lovely stone masonry, gabled façades and large windows, it’s no wonder this “industrial cathedral” is home to several musical performances every summer. Back on the road, I drive further inland alongside the oceanlike Lac Saint-Jean (it’s 1,053 square kilometres), which drains into the Saguenay River, to my destination, Val-Jalbert. Also steeped in history, Val-Jalbert is the visionary sibling. Founded in 1901 as a pulp mill company town, it soon began to thrive. But more than that, Val-Jalbert was ultra-modern with electricity and running water, 25 years ahead of surrounding communities. Newcomers competed to get a job here, so they, too, could live the good life.
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With the crash of the pulp and paper industry, this mill also collapsed in 1924 and, over the next few years, the village was abandoned. Then, in 2010, a local corporation with another vision made a multi-million-dollar investment to turn the ghost town into a full-immersion 1920s tourist experience. At the historical village, I board the trolley bus, and as we pass at least 40 original period buildings and employees dressed in authentic costumes, I can’t help but have flashbacks to the village’s heyday. There’s the convent school with the nuns’ living quarters, the general store, the housing districts and, of course, the pulp mill and power plant, built at the base of the Ouiatchouan Falls. Really, though, what drives home for me that this was a “real” place is when I hear the nowold men and women, who lived here as kids, share their fond memories in a video. My overnight accommodation is in a restored house, one of the most tasteful mixes of modern amenities with period touches I’ve ever seen. There’s so much historical energy here that, as I lay my head on the pillow that night, I can’t help but wonder if I’ll be awoken by a ghost, perhaps the visionary founder, Damase Jalbert, wandering through my room. Without a doubt, the Saguenay Lac Saint-Jean region is a place that has left me wanting to deepen our relationship. | For IF YOU GO information, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/ saguenay-and-lac-saint-jean
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OT O B RE by VERENA FOXX JIM HARCOTT says it was his dad who advised both him and his brother to transition into retirement instead of going “cold turkey.” And that’s exactly what the former Vancouver teacher did. Post retirement, he now works one day per week in each of his main fields of interest: teaching and retail. In his gig as a Faculty Advisor at UBC’s Department of Education, Jim mentors teachers coming into the profession. “I’ve learned from them how important the life-work balance is,” he says. “Millennials realize they are stronger professionally when they are fulfilled personally.” Jim’s personal long-time interest in things vintage landed him a Monday retail job at Step Back, a Vancouver vintage shop. “I love interacting with people and I’ve been collecting vintage for a long time, so it’s a good fit.” An avid, lifelong reader, Jim manages to devour 100+ books per year, mostly non-fiction and in his areas of historical interest. “I now see a fuller retirement coming on,” he admits, five years later, “but this transition approach has kept me in balance, while I’m waiting for my younger husband to retire.” COLLEEN TSOUKALAS became an “accidental” family fashion blogger when she retired from a 35-year profession in education. After first spending a year in Greece, Colleen and her husband headed off to Japan. While visiting their daughter in Tokyo, mother and daughter took on Tokyo Fashion Week and later collaborated as a blogging team. “Blogging has taken me everywhere,” she says, initially surprised. “My writing and people skills, plus my lifelong interest in fashion, have opened many new and unexpected opportunities,” she adds, mentioning walking the runway once, volunteering at My Sister’s Closet, and mentoring young fashionistas at VCC’s fashion programme. Colleen says blogging has really connected her, not only to the fashion community, but also to her extended Vancouver community, as well as keeping her daughter-and-granddaughter connections current. Her daily mantra, “Oh, go out …,” has served her and her wide-ranging fashion-based community well. |
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GRAND PRIZE WINNER INSPIRED Magazine owner Barbara Risto congratulates Connie Sparrow, winner of the all-inclusive trip for 2 to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler “55+ Spring Celebration.” The draw was made at the magazine-sponsored 55+ Lifestyle Show held in Victoria on March 12. Connie hopes her husband will be able to join her, but has a friend waiting as back up, just in case. She’s never been to Whistler, so this will be a wonderful treat. The 55+ Spring Celebration in at the Fairmont resort is a 3-night getaway for the young-at-heart, April 15-18. This spectacular prize package includes transportation from Victoria, all meals, and a choice of scheduled presentations and activities specially tailored to people over 55. Connie and her guest will revel in spring’s arrival in one of BC’s most beautiful resort locations and enjoy being pampered from start to finish. INSPIRED | APRIL 2019
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A HIKER’S PARADISE IN BC PARKS by ESTELLE NOAKES Among British Columbia’s outstanding parks, I have chosen these three for their stunning beauty, their ease of access to the wilderness, and the wide choice of accommodation that will fit most budgets. All three parks have an extensive range of hiking trails from walks to mountaineering and supply transport to the core area. Back packing in is an option. Mount Assiniboine and Lake O’Hara are both open for winter adventures. All three required five days for me to be satisfied.
Cathedral Provincial Park
Cathedral Provincial Park is situated in southwestern BC, sandwiched between the wet Cascades and the semiarid Okanagan Valley. Cathedral Lake Lodge supplies transport in by 4x4. Once there, you may accommodate yourself in the rustic lodge, a cabin, or set up your tent in one of the campgrounds. Cathedral is unique with remarkable scenery, fascinating rock formations and friendly animals that call this park home – there are few predators within the park. Birds abound, mountain goats parade through the campground and you may share your campsite with deer. Squirrels,
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chipmunks and gray jays vie for food scraps and grouse may scamper around your boots on the plateau. Marmots pose on rocks along the trails. Descriptive names invite one to explore the rocky formations – Devil’s Woodpile, the Stone City, Smokey the Bear, the Giant Cleft and the Ramparts. Enticing jewel-coloured lakes bask in their granite settings, each with their own charming, unique features. My favourites are Ladyslipper and Pyramid. Heavenly wildflower displays add to the intrigue while pinnacle peaks soar over the lakes and valleys. With 60 kms of trails, it is a hiker’s paradise.
ABOVE | The author’s favourite hiking spot is Lake O’Hara with breathtaking colours and jaw-dropping views. Photo: Aois Schonenberger RIGHT | A formation at Cathedral Provincial Park called Smokey the Bear. Photo: Estelle Noakes
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is situated in the Rocky Mountain corridor and is often referred to as the Matterhorn of the Rockies. The park is accessed by helicopter from Spray Lakes, Alberta. The choices of accommodation are varied: the Naiset Cabins and the Alpine Club’s Hind Hut (both dorm-style accommodation), campgrounds, and Mount Assiniboine Lodge. One’s first thought when arriving is why has it taken me so long to get here and when can I come back. Swooping down in the helicopter, Mount Assiniboine’s snow-capped spire dominates the scenery and reflects in the shimmering waters of Lake Magog. But the park is much more than a dominant mountain.
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A stupendous hiking area contains the most prolific and grand display of wildflowers I have ever seen. Add to that shimmering mountain lakes, glistening glaciers and fascinating rock formations. Witty names like Og, Gog and Magog Lakes and the Nub and the Nublet invite one to explore. Visiting Mount Assiniboine means your hiker’s heart will never be satisfied until you return. It is a place of magical wonder.
Lake O’Hara – Yoho National Park
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minorucentre.ca is situated just off Highway #1, east of Field and is a distinct location within Yoho National Park. Transport in is by a Parks Canada bus. Accommodation includes the campground, the Alpine Club’s Elizabeth Parker Hut and the Lodge with rooms and cabins by the lake. Lake O’Hara is one of my favourite places to hike; the sightseeing unparalleled. The colours of the lakes – O’Hara, Oesa, McArthur and Opabin are mesmerizing, ranging from brilliant greens,
blues and violets. Towering mountains are superb with hanging glaciers. There are trails for most levels of fitness at Lake O’Hara from a gentle stroll to challenging high alpine climbs. Wiwaxy Gap and Opabin Plateau provide incredible views of serene alpine beauty, but all the trails provide premier hikes. Wild flowers proliferate in the alpine meadows. Lake O’Hara on a sunny day is pure magic! The down side of Lake O’Hara is its popularity. Make sure to book this park early. | INSPIRED | APRIL 2019
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BONE BROTH FOR HEALTHY SKIN? The interest in bone broth has been long and ongoing because of its collagen content. Collagen is a protein that forms the structure of our bodies. Bone broth is especially known for its role in youthful-looking skin and bone and joint health. Your body, however, doesn’t take the collagen from a food and force your bones or skin cells to helplessly suck it up. When you eat protein like collagen, the body’s job is to break it apart. That’s what the digestive process does; it breaks apart your food into the tools you, as a unique individual, needs to function. The protein collagen is split into the various amino acids that originally united to create collagen. These amino acids are then reassembled into whatever type of protein your body needs at that time.
INSPIRED Magazine owner Barbara Risto congratulates Diane Rennie, winner of the Butchart Gardens basket, one of the prizes given away at the 55+ Lifestyle Show on March 12. The gift basket contains a trove of goodies, plus free admission and afternoon tea for two at Butchart Gardens. 22 20
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If you are considering drinking bone broth, go for it. It’s not a magic potion, but it is adequate as a recovery and hydration source after a good workout; it rehydrates and provides electrolytes, although mostly as sodium. It’s also a comforting, warm drink on a cold day, or when you are ill and have no appetite. But avoid attributing any “too good to be true” merits to bone broth – or any food, for that matter. The key to good health (including skin health) is the combination of a wide variety of foods. Many foods play a role in skin health. Here is just a partial list: • Fish: omega-3 fatty acids boost cell protection and assist in collagen’s support of skin structure. • Red vegetables: lycopene protects skin from damage, so it can absorb more collagen. • Oysters offer zinc, essential to the collagen-building process, and also provide many other vitamins and minerals to boost skin health. • Dark green vegetables are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C to boost collagen production. • Citrus fruits are also rich in antioxidants like vitamin C to help amino acids convert to collagen. They also help neutralize free radicals (normal daily waste products) that may attack and break down collagen and elastin in the skin. • Orange vegetables are rich in vitamin A to restore and regenerate damaged collagen. • Berries protect skin from damage thereby increasing collagen levels. • Soy offers a plant hormone (genistein) that acts as an antioxidant to promote collagen production. • Protein: found in seafood, meats, eggs, dairy, nuts, seeds and legumes offers the amino acids lysine and proline (and others) to support your body’s natural collagen production, ensuring skin health. • Garlic and any kind of onion: the allium family: onion, garlic, scallion,
by EVE LEES
FOREVER FIT shallot, leek and chives offer sulphur, as well as lipoic acid and taurine to help rebuild damaged collagen fibres. Avoid limiting your food choices to only the above foods. These are just the foods so far identified as having properties to assist in skin health. There are hundreds more yet to discover. It’s safe to say ALL whole foods will boost skin health. Therefore, choose from a wide variety of foods to be sure you are getting everything we know of (and have yet to discover) to keep your skin and YOU healthy. Too many of us have major or minor health issues. That’s a pretty good indication we’re probably not eating properly. Focusing on any one food, like bone broth, isn’t going to fix that – or tighten loose skin. |
Eve Lees has been active in the health & fitness industry since 1979. Currently, she is a Freelance Health Writer for several publications and speaks to business and private groups on various health topics. www.artnews-healthnews.com
55+ Lifestyle Show We had a blast in Victoria on March 12th!
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ISLAND MAGIC HOME ON PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND by IAN CARTER “Peace! You never know what peace is until you walk on the shores or in the fields or along the winding red roads of Abegweit on a summer twilight when the dew is falling and the old, old stars are peeping out and the sea keeps its nightly tryst with the little land it loves. You find your soul then… you realize that youth is not a vanished thing but something that dwells forever in the heart.” –Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) From: The Spirit of Canada “So, how many lanes of traffic are there on that highway up in Toronto… believe it’s called the 401?” asked the inquisitive Prince Edward Island farmer. I had gotten to know this gentle soul after he had figured out that this strange “fella from away” (read: Ontario) ran past the bottom of his farm laneway every morning at precisely 11 a.m., just before he picked up his mail from a badly bruised rural mailbox on the other side of the road. We chatted each morning every summer, but this question caught me by surprise. I stumbled out a guess that perhaps there were 20 or more lanes on Highway 401. He glanced across the road to his mailbox, then back at me and said, “Helluva thing for a fella to get his mail!” Now this was the same farmer who had been angered by the endless stream of tourists taking souvenir photos of his old homestead which, sadly, had fallen into a permanent state of disrepair. His solution to the picture-taking problem was to post a crudely printed “No Picture Taking” sign at the bottom 24 22
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of the same laneway. Inevitably, he was immediately plagued by more photographers, and one of those photographs eventually ended up on legions of coffee tables across the nation – on the cover of bestseller A Day in the Life of Canada. The No Picture Taking sign and my farmer neighbour are now long gone, but we continued to spend our summers up the road in a little one-room schoolhouse we had bought on the North Shore of Abegweit, the name used by the Mi’kmaq Nation for Prince Edward Island. It was a magnificent location on an acre of emerald green grass overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Cavendish sand dunes and, like so many first-time visitors, it was love at first sight. We eventually outgrew the schoolhouse and purchased a neighbour’s shorefront farmhouse in anticipation of an eventual renovation, relocation from Ontario, and ultimate retirement. Chef Michael Smith, a proud Islander, talented international Food Channel favourite, and local inn-keeper echoes Lucy Maud’s intimate spirit of place. He told me he calls PEI home because “we are simultaneously part of the past and
ABOVE | Anticipation – Lobster Setting Day at New London, PEI. RIGHT | The Links at Crowbush Cove overlooks the north shore sand dunes. PAGE 24 | Peake’s Quay on the historic Charlottetown waterfront. TOC PAGE | One of PEI’s many lighthouses. Photos: Ian Carter
the future. We’ve not lost track of our traditional community values, yet we’re solidly part of the world around us. We have our challenges, but they’re dwarfed by the special nature of our beautiful island.”
10 Reasons to Love Prince Edward Island “As you look around on the dimming landscape of haunted hill and long white sand beach and murmuring ocean, on homestead lights and old fields tilled by dead and gone generations who loved them… you will say, ‘Why… I have come home.’” –Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) From: The Spirit of Canada Now, after 15 years of permanent residence, this CFA (“Come From Away”) is home on the Island and feels very much like a local. Life on the Island has taught me that home is not a birthplace, it is an invention of the heart. Here are a few of the reasons we fell in love: 1. Summers on the Island are idyllic – moderate temperatures are followed by a lengthy autumn lasting well into October and early November. Another neighbour once told me that September is the best month of all.
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2. Gentle pastoral landscapes across most of the Island are simply stunning: a reminder of England, where we lived and worked for several years. 3. You are never far from the ocean, with all the benefits: splendid shorelines, sandy beaches, coastal drives, panoramic vistas and some of the best seafood in Canada – mussels, clams, oysters, lobster, scallops and more. 4. If you are a foodie, this is an exceptional place to live with lots of seasonal produce, certified organic producers, an abundance of seafood, and excellent restaurants employing more than our share of talented chefs. The Island has long
Join today at rbcm.ca/join *One book per membership purchase. Valid with online and box office purchases. Offer valid April 1–30, 2019, or while supplies last. Not valid with IMAX. Not valid with any offers. No refunds or exchanges.
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been known as The Garden of The Gulf vibrant community. Chef Ilona has travand has now become a popular culinary elled the world as the Island’s culinary destination for many visitors. ambassador and confides she loves “the 5. Primary industries are agriculture way the PEI landscape has the innate and fishing with family and church still ability to soothe the soul and refresh the at the heart of many rural communities. spirit.” 6. Exciting new initiatives are driven 7. Island talent – every village has by talented young entrepreneurs such as a small hall that shakes (those fiddlers Sarah Bennetto O’Brien (www.handpie. and step dancers can be mighty!) with HEARING – HEARING STUDY 3.0 and fall. ca) and MitchCONNECT Cobb and Mike Hogan downhome ceilidhs in summer (www.upstreetcraftbrewing.com). 4.750”Chef × 7.25”Charlottetown 03/15/19 is home to The Guild and Ilona Daniel is another one of our Island Confederation Centre of the Arts with talents determined to create a healthy, its annual Summer Festival. I am con-
University seeks participants for new hearing study. Connect Hearing, in conjunction with Professor Mark Fenske at the University of Guelph, are seeking participants who are over 50 years of age, have never worn hearing aids and have not had a hearing test in the last 24 months, for a hearing study that investigates factors that can influence better hearing. Study Parameters Hearing problems typically result from damage to the ear and researchers have spent decades trying to understand the biology behind hearing loss. Of particular interest to the researchers is identifying how we listen. There is a current theory that divides people into two “listening groups”. People in the first group need to put more effort into their listening, while members in the second group aren’t easily distracted. It’s the people in the first group who will look for a solution to their hearing loss sooner than the second group, even though the level of hearing loss could be very similar. The researchers will examine listening in a range of situations, from
vinced there is more talent per square metre on this Island than any other place in Canada. 8. Real estate is still among the least expensive in Canada – many CFAs report that the cost of living is significantly less than many other parts of the country. 9. Endless opportunities exist to volunteer in a variety of associations. You could have a very busy retirement, especially if you love lively discussions around all things political. 10. Home is where the heart is, and this Island has plenty of huge hearts. The Guardian, our provincial newspaper, whose masthead reads “Covers The Island Like The Dew,” recently headlined “Fundraiser for Home Heating Program Draws Hundreds.” This is just one of many benefit concerts undeterred by serious winter storms in a community of caregivers. PEI has the highest growth rate among the provinces with folks from across Canada moving to the Island. Although Ontario accounts for most of
one-on-one, to group conversations, watching TV and wider social contexts like supermarkets and other noisy environments, and how it effects connection and socialization. Why Participate? It is estimated that 46% of people aged 45 to 87 have some degree of hearing loss, but most do not seek a solution right away. In fact, the average person with hearing loss will wait ten years before seeking help. You’ll be playing an important part in a study that will further identify the key factors impacting hearing difficulties and better understand their influence on the treatment process.
If you are over 50 years of age, have never worn hearing aids and have not had a hearing test in the last 24 months you can register to be a part of this major new hearing study† by calling: 1.888.242.4892 or visiting connecthearing.ca/hearing-study
*Wingfield, A., Tun, P. A., & McCoy, S. L. (2005). Hearing Loss in Older Adulthood: What It Is and How It Interacts With Cognitive Performance. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(3), 144–148. † Study participants must be over 50 years of age and have never worn hearing aids. No fees and no purchase necessary. Registered under the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC. VAC, WCB accepted. 1. Cruickshanks, K. L., Wiley, T. L., Tweed, T. S., Klein, B. E. K., Klein, R, Mares-Perlman, J. A., & Nondahl, D. M. (1998). Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Older Adults in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin: The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study. Am. J. Epidemiol. 148 (9), 879-886. 2. National Institutes of Health. (2010).
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FILE NAME: Connect-Hearing_2019-04-15_Hearing-Study_BC_Inspired-Senior-Living
these new arrivals, I was surprised to learn that folks from our “Left Coast” have also chosen to nest here. Former Vancouver residents like Shannon Bruyneer, Kent Czank and Donna Stevens have made the move. Calvin Porter told me he moved from the Fraser Valley in 2016 – he and his wife drove cross country with two cats and a dog, eventually settling in the tiny village of York. Calvin admits to the usual challenges but said “I love living on the Island – it feels like home.” Reasons to love this place far outnumber the challenges. We came to learn that the Maritime climate can be difficult. Winters can be long and nor’easters fierce, and like all islands, wind is a constant. The pace is leisurely and that takes some getting used to, especially for urban folks. We learned to never be in a hurry.
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It’s Not Just a Haircut. It’s an Experience! Makeover Expert Hana Akai has completed ER over E-OV15 makeovers for MAK INSPIRED Magazine.
INSPIRED * senior living magazine
We are a small province with a population slightly less than the city of Kelowna, BC. Like many small communities, a sense of isolation can be an issue for some rural folks. And I accept that I will always be “from away” – but that’s okay, it comes with benefits. | For a local’s perspective on the best of Prince Edward Island, including eating, drinking, playing and indulging, visit www. seniorlivingmag.com/island-magic-pei
Trained by celebrity stylist Nick Arrojo and an educator Wefor are looking for adventuresome women, over the age of 55, Redken products, Hana willing to undergo a makeover including hair, makeup and provides the latest in styling fashion. To qualify: advice and products, a has something - hair length needs to be long enough soand our stylist toprecision work with — close to shoulder lengthworks or longer hair cut that - must attend hair and clothes fitting appointments in Vancouver for your lifestyle. Call Hana 1-2 weeks prior to the show - absolutely willing to cooperate with our stylists and show staff to book Colour Specialist You will complete your makeover transformation at our upcoming your styling 55+ Lifestyle Show in Vancouver on Sept 23 (9am-3pm) where you Precision Haircutting appointment. will be presented on stage. Your photos and story will be featured Make-up Application in upcoming issues of INSPIRED Senior Living.
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Ian Carter is a retired educator and mental health professional, published author, freelance writer, photographer, and inveterate world traveller. He welcomes contact at: heritagematters@bellaliant.net
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* Stylist of INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine makeovers. Enter BEFORE JULY 30, 2017 for AKAI HAIR DESIGN your chance to be chosen. EMAIL your photo andQuadra story to Street, Victoria BC 2559 fashion@seniorlivingmag.com
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INSPIRED | APRIL 2019
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How to Help Those Who Help Others By Wendy Johnstone
Most of us, at some point, will take part in the marathon of caregiving. It’s not usually something we anticipate, sign up for or train for, but it has become the new normal as our aging population enjoys life – prolonged by medical science while grappling with chronic disease. According to Statistics Canada, family caregivers in BC represent 28 per cent of our population. The majority are women and 60 per cent are employed. A family caregiver’s role spans an average of six years with 89 per cent of caregivers caring for over a year. For every hour of paid care being received, family caregivers are doing 10 hours of unpaid care. Despite the enormous number, their compassion and commitment largely go unacknowledged and unsupported. How do you know if you are a caregiver or if someone you know is a caregiver? Chances are they won’t identify as one. Caregivers usually relate to the person they are caring for through their relationship – not necessarily a role. This often explains why many family caregivers don’t recognize their role, which can be compounded by how medical and social systems focus on patients. This is slowly shifting to include family caregivers, but it isn’t the norm. By definition, a family caregiver is a family member or friend who gives unpaid care to an adult, either at home or in a facility, who has a physical or mental health condition, chronic illness or frailty due to aging. Examples of caring: helping with transportation and errands, attending health care appointments and being an advocate, scheduling and coordinating appointments, assisting with medical treatment and personal care and providing emotional support. Sometimes it’s helpful to ask, “Are you looking after someone who couldn’t manage without your help?” Statistics also show that 92 per cent of caregivers report the experience as rewarding, and 70 per cent experience a strengthening of their relationship with the care recipient. But that doesn’t mean family caregivers don’t
experience stress or negative health outcomes. In fact, family caregivers are more at risk of suffering from chronic illnesses, isolation and depression. Family caregivers who are supported early in their journey have a greater chance of sustaining their role. If you know a caregiver, any time is a good time to offer information and support. Hands-on help, however, should be offered with caution, if the person the caregiver is assisting: • has complex and/or multiple chronic conditions • is frail and elderly • is diagnosed with a degenerative or life-limiting condition • is being discharged from hospital Most importantly, let’s shift to identifying, including and supporting family caregivers. It doesn’t take a lot of time and you can start by thanking a family caregiver, asking them how they are doing and how you can help them. Tell them about how they can receive the support they need and access great information and resources – for FREE – by calling 1-877-520-3267 or by visiting www.familycaregiversbc. ca.| Wendy Johnstone is a Gerontologist and a consultant with Family Caregivers of British Columbia in Victoria, BC.
Overwhelmed in your role as a caregiver? Unsure of what to do next or where to go for help? Our Caregiver Support Line is free and designed to give you the support and information you need. Call us at 1-877-520-3267
www.familycaregiversbc.ca Caregiver Support Line 1-877-520-3267 Office: 250-384-0408 Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm 28 26
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Marketplace COLLECTOR SEEKING vintage/collectable cameras, binoculars and microscopes. Nikon, Leica, Contax, Rolleiflex, Zeiss, Canon, etc. Mike 250-383-6456 or e-mail: msymons6456@telus.net Victoria MATURE, PROFESSIONAL FEMALE HOMEOWNER from the island will house
and/or pet sit for 5 or 6 months, Ambleside or Dundarave beginning July 15 2019. West Van references. lmacl@shaw.ca
WANTED: OLD POSTCARDS, old
photographs, and pre-1950 stamped envelopes. Also buying old coins, medals and badges. Please call Michael 250-6529412 or email fenian@shaw.ca
EVER CONSIDER MOVING TO AFFORDABLE SOUTHERN ONTARIO?
Please contact Robert Tatomir, Broker: Future Homes & Real Estate. 1-800677-5810; robert@future-homes.com; www.future-homes.com.
FOOTCARE: Happy, Healthy Feet make Happy, Healthy People. The more the merrier. Call FootNurse Marcia R.N.,B.Sc.N. 250-686-3081. CHANGING PLACES Downsizing and relocation specialists SINCE 1991. Moving? Aging in place? Need help? Don’t know where to start? Let us take care of all the details from start to finish. Call Jane 250-721-4490 Victoria and the Island for a free estimate www.changingplaces.ca ARE YOU A SENIOR who wants a companion or someone to run errands for you? Call 250-216-3039 for a free assessment! WANTED: Old stereo/audio equipment.
Any condition. Amplifiers, turntables, speakers, receivers etc. Honest/friendly. Victoria and V.I. Call Bob, 250-896-2268, northtowns26@gmail.com
DOWNSIZING?
CORNERSTONE SENIORS ADVOCACY
Assisting Seniors through life’s changes. Specializing in Transitional Moves, Downsizing, Estate Clear Out & Sale of Assets. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 250.858.8560 www.cornerstoneadvocacy.com
ALWAYS GREAT FEET. Nanaimo’s professional mobile foot care nurses. Debbie Mason LPN and John Patterson LPN. Home, facility, and hospital visits. Experienced, qualified nursing foot care for toenails, corns, calluses and ingrown nails. Direct billing for DVA clients. Call 250-390-9266. WANTED Danish Mid-Century Furniture from the 50’s & 60’s. Teak & rosewood, pieces any condition. Wanted records & LPs - jazz, blues, classic rock. 250-3807022. lacknerwayne@gmail.com SENSUAL MASSAGE. Are you missing touch? I’m a Certified Sexological Bodyworker, I work with Couples and Individuals. Sher 250-889-4166 or email sexeducator@telus.net
Single Seniors Meet & Greet • Victoria Wednesdays • 9:30-11am Location varies. Join our weekly newsletter to get current info.
Our weekly gathering has 20 -30 people. Come see if it’s a fit for you!
UPCOMING EVENTS April 3 - Quality Foods April 10 - Quality Foods April 17 - The Kensington April 24 - Ricky's All Day Grill We request participants to get to know each other by attending our group meet-ings prior to signing up for a trip.
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COMPASSION FOR SELF Last November, I spent four days on Bowen Island with 60 other people learning about and sharing compassion. Compassion for self, for others, for nature. I have already written about nature, so I thought it was time I shared how to be compassionate to ourselves. Our lessons are all around us. Recently, I shared the ideas about Compassion for Self with a group of people in Victoria. We discovered that we are well versed in being compassionate to others; we are not the same to ourselves. If you follow my columns, you will know that in December, I became a cliché, falling and breaking my right hip. I am fortunate, I healed well, and my surgeon does not need to see me anymore. I walk with a classy cane and I move quite easily – but slowly. The huge lesson for me was this: “I will only go as fast as the slowest part of me feels safe going. I will be easy on myself.” The other lesson I am learning is that asking for help is not a weakness. This is very difficult for someone who has always been independent. Someone who is always wanting to help others. I recommend you do not go as far in seeking your lessons for self compassion as I did. Begin now. Treat yourself as if you were your own best friend. We do not expect perfection in our friends, why do we expect it in ourselves? Time to accept
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by PAT NICHOL
&
our less-than-perfect selves. Think about this for a moment. What do you say when you talk to yourself? Would you talk to friends and strangers the way you talk to you? If you did, would you have any friends, and would strangers want to speak to you? Probably not. Here are four ways to be compassionate to yourself: 1) Listen carefully to what you say to yourself; 2) Approach yourself in a non-judgmental way; 3) Be willing to receive from others; 4) Be willing to forgive yourself. What have I learned that has enabled me to be more compassionate to myself? I have learned to: take a nap; be mindful; allow myself to be pampered (i.e. pedicures, often); and curl up with a good book in the middle of the day. So be kind to yourself, in words and in deeds. Find something that brings you joy and indulge in it. Be compassionate to yourself. |
COURAGEOUS OUTRAGEOUS
Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Reach her by email at mpatnichol@gmail.com
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The Harrisons, Langley’s Premier Retirement Living Communities
Independent & Assisted Living
We are Celebrating our Vibrant Harrison Communities and our Wonderful Volunteers! Residents & friends of The Harrisons are offered opportunities to continue their volunteerism throughout their retirement years. Continuing to give means continuing to receive and that is just one way we offer our residents a more fulfilled life.
Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week!
There are so many ways that our Volunteers have enriched our lives and we would like to say a heartfelt Thank You!
Thank You to all of our Amazing Volunteers! People don’t just move into a Harrison Residence because of What We Do. They move in because of Why We Do It!
The Harrisons Offer: Complete Condo-style
Suites, Chef Prepared Meals, Active Lifestyle Options, Assistance 24/7 if needed, Outstanding Essentials, Amazing Amenities, Wonderful Optional Services and so much more!
Come for a TOUR & COMPLIMENTARY CHEF PREPARED LUNCH anytime and see Why The Harrisons Really Do Offer A Better Way of Life! Harrison Landing 20899 Douglas Crescent Langley, BC V3A 9L3 604.530.7075 www.harrisonlanding.com 32 APRIL 2019 | WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM
Harrison Pointe 21616 -52 Avenue Langley, BC V2Y 1L7 604.530.1101 www.harrisonpointe.ca
The Harrisons