11 minute read

2023

Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere (OACC)

June seems to have come and gone in a flash. What a month of celebration in Chestermere. From Seniors Week to the Carnival, it was wonderful to see residents of all ages out in the community enjoying themselves.

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The OACC will not be meeting in July (a little vacation for everyone), but we hope to see all of you at our August meeting.

OACC News & Community Events

SENIOR’S WEEK IS A WRAP!

What an amazing week full of events - one that we believe, was the best ever. With over 650 participants and daily events, it was wonderful to see such an inclusive and diverse celebration of Seniors and Older Adults in our community. From having tea, riding a bicycle, catching the sights from a different perspective on a pontoon boat ride, or making new friends at games night, the energy at every of the event was incredible. What a great way to recognize the contributions of our most treasured residents!

And of course, the week could not have happened without the hours of work from the 2023 Seniors Week Planning Group and the over 100 volunteers! A heartfelt thank you everyone involved. Bigger and better next year!

Did you know that there are bicycles available at the City to “rent” for Seniors and Older Adults? The bicycles that were featured during the Seniors Week Tour de Chestermere are available for use. The City, using a grant dedicated for Seniors, was able to purchase some bicycles, a tricycle, and a few electric bikes for Seniors to sign out to use on the amazing paths throughout our community. If you are interested, contact Craig or Christian at the City (cmcleod@chestermere.ca or 403-7050 ext. 7094; clutzorozco@chestermere.ca or 403-7050 ext. 7092). It is a great time of year to have some neighbour or family fun time. The City of Chestermere has a Block Party based program designed to build connection and community. So, gather your neighbours or family and have a cook off or BBQ with the help of the City. Each kit includes cookware, dishes, utensils, and recipe books to use, along with a gift card to help purchase some of the ingredients. Check it out by contacting Craig at 403-7050 ext. 7094 or email him at cmcleod@ chestermere.ca. It’s a great way to have some fun! com for a copy of their monthly newsletter. Whitecappers have sent out their monthly calendar of events as well. They post it at the club, or you can check online at www. whitecappers.ca for all of the activities they have planned. They have something for everyone so take a moment to check out their events.

Don’t forget to check out what’s happening at the Library. Stop by the library to see what’s going on or send an email to Jackson at jlongworth@ chestermerepubliclibrary.

Finally, a reminder about the Chestermere Conversation Café. This group is intended to support caregivers and family members of those working with Dementia or memory loss. Regardless of where you or your family member is in the dementia journey, it is a casual conversation setting offering peer support. Family members and dementia patients are welcome to join in. Future meetings will be held on the 4th Monday of every month from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at Lakeshore Manor (200 Marina Drive, Chestermere). NOTE: The next meeting will be on Monday, July 24th.

Remember you can contact Don at 403-473-1564 or check out the link for more information: https:// dementianetworkcalgary. ca/event/new-chestermereconversation-cafe-in-person/

News & Views on Health

Here is the health update from Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (CRPCN) which services Chestermere. Welcome to summer from CRPCN! We all look forward to this time of year to get outside, get in our gardens, meet friends on patio’s and take in the many walking, cycling paths in Chestermere. Our health is often taken for granted till something changes. For more education around diet and exercise please know that your doctor likely belongs to a Primary Care Network, and you can ask to speak to the Diabetic Nurse, General Nurse, Dietician, Foot Care Specialist, or Social Worker to gain knowledge and education, one on one, to get support and stay healthy. Did you know a simple blood test called A1C tests for blood sugars and is a good indicator of pre diabetic states. Normal is less than 6.0 ug/L Watching your intake of high sugar and processed foods as well as a 20-minute walk daily can keep this level down. Please be aware that CRPCN will be at several of the Wellness Wednesday at Anniversary Park this summer. Also, we are bringing an Elder Abuse Awareness Project to the area that all are welcome to attend through Lunch and Learns at Lakeshore Manor and Whitecappers. As well, our workshops are available online at www.CRPCN. ca and include Happiness Basics, Heart Health, Craving Change.

Enjoy your summer activities and take a moment to appreciate your health

Join the Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere

Are you an older adult? Do you live or work in

Chestermere or the immediate surrounding area? Do you want to engage and/or volunteer in the community with similar residents? Do you have family that fits this demographic that you care for or have living in Chestermere? Did you know that as a business or organization that has an interest in providing services or programs for our older adults you are more than welcome to be a member of OACC? We welcome adult children of older adults, caregivers, educators, agencies, service organizations, funders, community partners and the community at large. The common goal is to work for the betterment of older adults in our community. OACC – Upcoming Meeting Date – Wednesday, August 16th at 1:30PM – 3:30PM (200 Marina Drive, Chestermere). While walk-ins are welcome to our meetings, RSVPs are appreciated. Please email Joanne jumpmaster2@shaw. ca or Betty illingw8@telus. net or Shannon shannon. fetterly@lakeshoremanor.ca

The OACC welcomes community businesses, organizations, and service providers to join our meetings as a guest speaker. If you are interested, please reach out to Joanne, Betty, or Shannon.

Summer: THE season for refreshing desserts!

The heat of summer and all its pleasant activities often put you in the mood for refreshing desserts. Want to try your hand at making some delicious homemade desserts to help you survive the hot weather? Here are some ideas to inspire you.

Ice Cream Sundaes

Use local or exotic fruits to create fresh ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt. Mango, raspberries, lemon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and blueberries are great options. You can also opt for classic flavours, such as chocolate and vanilla, or get creative by using edible flowers and fragrant herbs like lavender and mint. Top it all off with granola, chocolate shavings, nuts, fruit coulis, caramel sauce or maple syrup.

Fruity Delights

Let your imagination run wild and have fun concocting fruity pies that pair perfectly with a dollop of ice cream. Layer jam, custard, whipped cream and chopped fruit on a delicious, sweet pastry. Mousse cakes, pavlovas and panna cottas are other tasty options you can make with the fruit of your choice.

UNIQUE TREATS

Enjoy ice cream in a new way by making a bite-sized Japanese dessert called mochi or assembling a cake roll. You could also make oversized ice cream sandwiches by placing your favourite flavour of ice cream between two giant chocolate chip cookies. When it comes to dessert drinks, slushies and milkshakes are also irresistible options.

Many restaurants, snack bars and creameries offer a wide variety of frozen and refreshing desserts. Indulge your appetite this summer!

Beet and orange salad with goat cheese

This colourful salad is a mouth-watering summer treat that makes the perfect starter or side dish.

Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

For the vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup orange juice

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon grainy mustard

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the salad:

• 2 oranges

2 cooked beets

• A handful of pomegranate seeds

• 2 cups of greens of your choice

(e.g., mesclun or spring mix)

• 200 grams goat cheese

How to choose a barbecue

Do you dream of cooking meals on the grill in your backyard or balcony but don’t yet have a barbecue? Here are some tips for choosing the right one.

TYPE

Propane barbecues are versatile, easy to use and quick to heat up. Charcoal or wood-burning barbecues impart delicious flavour but are more difficult to light and take longer to reach an optimal temperature. On the other hand, electric barbecues offer even heat distribution, except at low temperatures.

MATERIAL

Certain materials, like stainless steel, will ensure your barbecue has a long service life. If the appliance’s firebox is made of enamelled cast iron, it should be at least four millimetres thick. Remember that metal- or porcelain-coated steel grates are generally more difficult to clean.

Cooking Surface

The size of the barbecue and the number of burners you need largely depend on what you’ll be grilling and how much of it. The larger the barbecue, the more energy it needs to reach the desired heat. If you often cook fish or white meat, it’s a good idea to look for a model with at least two independent burners. This gives you the option of not cooking directly over the flame.

ACCESSORIES

Some models come with additional accessories, such as a side burner (similar to a cooker), a sear burner (perfect for blue steaks) and a rotisserie for cooking on a spit.

The many criteria you consider when looking for the perfect barbecue are chiefly about how you plan to use the grill. Other elements to consider include your budget, the number of wheels, the ignition system and whether it has a built-in thermometer. Happy shopping!

Directions

1. Combine all the dressing ingredients. Set aside.

2. Trim the oranges to remove the segments.

3. Cut the cooked beets into pieces of similar size to the orange segments.

4. Arrange the beets, orange segments, pomegranate seeds and greens on four small plates.

5. Crumble a quarter of the goat cheese over each serving.

6. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve.

Use a sharp knife to remove the orange segments. Remove the peel and white membrane from each wedge, leaving only the flesh.

Shrimp tacos

Blueberry crisp

Packed with fresh, crisp ingredients, these tacos conjure memories of a seaside holiday. Blueberry crisp is a classic summer dessert. When blueberry season is in full swing, make the most of it with this “berry” delicious antioxidant-packed treat.

Servings: 6

INGREDIENTS

• 6 soft tortillas

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt or sour cream

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco or Frank’s RedHot)

• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon flour

• 450 grams medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 cups shredded cabbage (green, Savoy or Chinese)

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

2. Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in the oven for 10 minutes before serving.

3. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt and hot sauce. Set aside.

4. In another small bowl, combine the cayenne, garlic powder and flour.

5. Place the shrimp in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the flour mixture, ensuring every piece is evenly coated.

6. Heat the oil in a large cast iron or non-stick skillet over high. Add the shrimp and cook on both sides until slightly charred.

7. Lay the warm tortillas out on a clean work surface. Add a tablespoon of hot sauce to each tortilla. Then, divide the cabbage, onion slices, avocado slices and shrimp evenly among the tortillas. Serve immediately.

Do you love to grill? Use your BBQ to make this recipe!

Servings: 8

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups fresh (or thawed) whole blueberries

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 4 tablespoons sugar

1 cup and 2 tablespoons flour

• 1 cup oatmeal

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• A pinch of salt

• 3/4 cup melted butter

1/2 cup almonds, coarsely chopped

For garnish (optional)

• A few mint leaves

• 1/2 cup whole almonds

• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

8 Quick And Simple Recipes To Add To Your Summer Meal Plan

Looking for delicious, easy-to-make dinners for those low-energy evenings or when you want to make the most of the sunshine? These eight ideas will surely find a place on your meal plan this summer.

1. BLT pizza. Decadent bacon, crisp lettuce and juicy cherry tomatoes give this meal a summery feel. Plus, you barely have to use the oven.

2. Tofu quesadillas. Tortillas, vegetables, shredded Tex-Mex cheese, a tofu spread and less than 10 minutes in the oven are all you need to cook this dinner.

3. Moroccan couscous. Seasoned with garam masala and mint leaves, this couscous is a perfect match for ground lamb and Asian-style vegetables.

4. Pasta salad with pesto and prosciutto. Garnish it with chunks of cheese and fresh tomatoes, and this salad will have it all.

5. Halloumi cheese and grilled vegetables. Grill these tasty ingredients on the barbecue to bring out the fresh flavours.

6. Spring rolls. Assemble the rolls at the table so everyone can create their own combinations.

7. Creamy coleslaw. This salad is a great opportunity to use your cooked broccoli stalks. Thinly slice them and let them macerate for a few minutes in the creamy dressing.

8. Shredded turkey or crab rolls. Easy to eat on the go, these classic rolls are endlessly customizable!

Visit your local shops and food producers to stock up on fresh ingredients. Bon appétit!

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.

2. Place the blueberries in a large bowl and add the lemon juice. Sprinkle the mixture with the sugar and 2 tablespoons of flour. Mix well.

3. Divide the mixture among 8 small ramekins or pour into a regular pie dish.

4. In the same bowl, combine the cup of flour, oats, brown sugar and salt.

5. Slowly pour in the melted butter to moisten all the ingredients. Then, spread the mixture evenly over the blueberries.

6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.

7. Meanwhile, lightly toast the chopped almonds in a pan.

8. Remove the crisp(s) from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Divide the toasted almonds among the crisp(s) and garnish with the other toppings, if desired.

Get any 3 concerts for only $70

(regular price $84)

Lewis & Royal

2023 Open-Air Summer Concerts

Incredible Live Music every Saturday in August

Bring your blanket or lawn chair, your sunscreen and hat, and enjoy incredible music in the heart of the Rosebud Valley.

Single concert tickets are $28 each. Call Box Office to book at 1-800-267-7553.

Performing August 5 & 26 at 4:30pm on the Rosebud Festival Stage

Lewis & Royal’s first project was composing CHICKENS, a runaway musical hit combining blues, bluegrass and oldtime rock. No strangers to Rosebud, they have toured and performed across the country, including Calgary’s Jack Singer concert hall and iconic Saddledome. lewisandroyal.com

John Wort Hannam

Performing August 12 at 4:30pm on the Rosebud Festival Stage

In 2001, roots/folk musician John Wort Hannam quit his teaching job and spent 10 months depleting his savings while sat at his kitchen table, wearing a lucky hat, writing his first ten songs. Eighteen years later, with a few feathers in that lucky hat that include a JUNO nomination and a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Album of the Year, he’s got a new energy fueled by a new band, a new sound and a ton of new songs. www.johnworthannam.com

Maria Dunn

Performing August 19 at 4:30pm on the Rosebud Festival Stage

Photo Credit: David Williamson, 2020

A true preserver of the spirit of folk music, 2022 Juno Award Winner Maria Dunn is often compared to Woody Guthrie for her keen social awareness and unvarnished melodic songs about ordinary people. Her latest album Joyful Banner Blazing (2021) celebrates resilience, grace, gratitude, solidarity, joy and the love that fires our actions to make the world a better place. www.mariadunn.com

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