Senior Living Magazine May 2015

planned giving issue

BC’s 50+ Active BC’s Lifestyle 50+ Magazine Active Lifestyle Magazine

MAy 2015

This is

why

we give INSIDE:

Entertainer

Doug Fraser

Multigenerational

Magic

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MAY 2015

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I have 130 grandparents.

The best part of my day? Walking through those doors in the morning.

Independent and assisted living choices for today’s senior.

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SENIOR LIVING

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Look Closer…

What do you see people, what do you see?

Is it just an old woman when you look at me?

Can you see that I once was a charmer, lively and quick That I lived each day with love and joy and was never sick That I laughed with my husband and children and ran with my dog Together we hiked and we camped and even sailed in the fog If I’d met you back then it would have been with a smile Perhaps we would have sat and chatted awhile But now words fail me and my adventures are done My zest for life died with my husband and son Today, reminders of the past bring a tear to my eye But when you speak with me now, please don’t let it be with a sigh Just tell me softly, and do let it be true That my life, even now, still has meaning for you Show that you can look closer and really see That you can look closer and truly…

See Me.

In our fast paced world, we often don’t take the time to see individuals.

This is particularly true of the elderly within our facilities and our community. And when we don’t see, we don’t recognize needs.

At the Eldercare Foundation we see how things like animal assisted therapy, art programs, specialized equipment and home-like enhancements can make a difference in the lives of our elderly.

Look closer. See the need.

Give generously at gvef.org or call 250 370-5664

1454 Hillside Ave., Victoria, BC V8T 2B7 250-370-5664 • www.gvef.org Registered Charity #898816095RR0001

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Eldercare Foundation • See Me Senior Living Magazine

MAY 2015

13

MAY 2015

The benefits of SITTING with the VISUAL advantages of STANDING! www.seniorlivingmag.com

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES 6 At Home in Africa

36 Grandparenting

A Duncan couple has dedicated their life to help villagers in Africa obtain clean, safe water.

42 Travel

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A devoted Nelson volunteer says her efforts have evolved as she and her values have matured.

20 Your Gifts Can Make a Global Impact

Even small interventions have a ripple effect that reaches entire communities, regions and nations.

Adjustable Length

22-23 Volunteer Nanaimo

Volunteers use their skills, passion and energy to make Nanaimo a better place for residents.

24 Magic Can Happen When You Create Space For It A social initiative to combat ageism aims to build new multigenerational relationships.

Cast iron plate flips up for use on soft surfaces

30 Living History

Removable rubber foot for hard surfaces

Medical tourism gains popularity.

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The Family Caregiver

by Barbara Small

Courageous & Outrageous

by Pat Nichol

It’s Just That Easy

by Shell Busey

Fit for the Adventure

by Eve Lees

North of 50

by Colin Campbell

34 Tummy Tuck, Anyone?

38 Vacation Pix that Pop!

Senior Living is distributed at all BC Pharmasave locations.

Hands-on, customized photography workshops let hobbyists learn the basics or refine their skills.

Senior Living is published by Stratis Publishing.

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COLUMNS

Cover Photo: Volunteer Chris Tait and BC SPCA dog Tucker embrace during a walk in Victoria.

Details on page 3. Photo: Geoff Robson

Raised in show business, the “unusual” became a way of life for entertainer Douglas Fraser.

Folds to 14” (35.5cm) Weight: 1.5lbs (680.39g)

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51 Classifieds

16 Community is Like Family

Elasticized Strap

Safety Locking Nut

48 Attractions & Entertainment

Fundraisers and volunteers keep education and literacy programs alive at your local library.

Publishers Barbara Risto Barry Risto

Head Office Contact Information: Box 153, 1581-H Hillside Ave., Victoria BC V8T 2C1

Editor Bobbie Jo Reid editor@seniorlivingmag.com

Phone 250-479-4705 Fax 250-479-4808 Toll-free 1-877-479-4705

Office Manager Shayna Horne 250-479-4705 office@seniorlivingmag.com

E-mail office@seniorlivingmag.com Website www.seniorlivingmag.com

Advertising Christine Bollenbach 250-479-4705 ext 102 Lorraine Brett 604-351-8497 (Vancouver) Bob Ramsey 250-479-4705 ext 104 Kathie Wagner 250-479-4705 ext 103 For advertising information, call 250-479-4705 sales@seniorlivingmag.com

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Subscriptions: $32 (includes GST, postage and handling) for 12 issues. Canadian residents only.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Senior Living 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. Unsolicited articles are welcome and should be e-mailed to editor@seniorlivingmag. com Senior Living is distributed free throughout British Columbia. Stratis Publishing Ltd. publishes Senior Living (12 issues per year). ISSN 17103584 (Print) ISSN 1911-6403 (Online)

Senior Friendly Businesses WHERE TO FIND ALL OF OUR ADVERTISERS

Attractions & Entertainment • Ballet Victoria (pg 50) • Chemainus Theatre Festival (pg 48) • Get West Adventure Cruises (pg 48) • Theatre in the Country (pg 50) • Victoria Conservatory of Music (pg 49) • View Royal Casino (pg 49) • West Coast Rail Tours (pg 50) Charities • Amnesty International (pg 21) • Ancient Forest Alliance (pg 7) • Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (pg 6) • BC Cancer Foundation (pg 10) • BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (pg 14) • BC SPCA (pg 8) • BC SPCA Wild ARC (pg 14) • BC Wildlife Federation (pg 5) • BC Women’s Hospital Foundation (pg 7) • Bladder Cancer Canada (pg 9) • Bloom Group, The (pg 13) • Burn’s Bog Conservation Society (pg 26) • Burnaby Hospital Foundation (pg 17) • CRD Regional Parks (pg 24) • Camosun Foundation (pg 18) • Canadian Red Cross (pg 22) • Canuck Place Children’s Hospice (pg 20) • Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula (pg 13) • Covenant House Vancouver (pg 28) • Cridge Centre for the Family, The (pg 36) • Critter Care Wildlife Society (pg 24) • Crossroads Hospice Society (pg 33) • Eldercare Foundation (pg 1) • Family Caregivers of British Columbia (pg 14) • Greater Victoria Public Library (pg 13)

• Heart & Stroke Foundation (pg 15) • Kinsmen Foundation of BC, The (pg 19) • Make a Wish BC & Yukon (pg 15) • Nature Conservancy Canada (pg 16) • North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (pg 30) • Oak Bay Volunteer Services (pg 5) • Pacific Christian School (pg 8) • Peach Arch Hospital & Community Health Foundation (pg 21) • Ronald MacDonald House BC (pg 10) • Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation (pg 29) • Saanich Peninsula Community Fund (pg 29) • Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation (pg 9) • Saanich Volunteer Services Society (pg 17) • Saint Barnabas Anglican Church (pg 12) • Sierra Club BC (pg 21) • Thompson River University (pg 35) • Vancouver Foundation (pg 11) • Vancouver Island University (pg 27) • Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (pg 19) • Variety – The Children’s Charity (pg 37) • War Amps, The (pg 18) • Women In Need Victoria (pg 15) Health | Wellness • 55+ BC Games (pg 47) • BC Perio Dental Health & Implant Centre (pg 31) • Connect Hearing (Inside Front Cover) • Hearing Life Canada (pg 40) • Miracle Ear (Back Cover) • Motion Specialties (pg 41) • Nexgen Hearing/Mainland Hearing (pg 33) • Pharmasave (pg 25 & 29)

• Saanich Recreation (pg 48) • Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co. (pg 26) • Stick Chair Company (pg 2) Housing • Agecare Harmony Court Estate (pg 44) • Alexander Mackie Retirement Community (pg 32) • Amica Mature Lifestyles Inc. (pg 39) • Berwick Retirement Communities (Inside Back Cover) • Biscay Manor (pg 25) • Chemainus Gardens (pg 28) • Legion Manor Victoria (pg 35) • Norgarden (Inside Front Cover) • Revera Inc. (pg 27) Insurance | Legal | Politics | Real Estate • Consumer Protection BC (pg 32) • Kenneth Walton Law Corporation (pg 37) • Royal LePage Realty/Cheri Crause & Rick Hoogendoorn (pg 45) Senior Care • Alpha Home Care (pg 41) • Saint Elizabeth (pg 4) • Shekinah Assisted Care Services (pg 36) Services • Age-Friendly Business (Inside Back Cover) • Casalinga (Inside Back Cover) • Chef on the Run (Inside Front Cover) • Everything Organized (pg 45) • Royal Oak Burial Park (pg 23) Travel & Leisure • Accent Inns (pg 43) • Mile Zero Tours (pg 43) • Pitmar Tours (pg 44)

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�������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������� Cover models Chris Tait and Tucker spend time ����������������������������������������������� together going for a walk in Victoria. ������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ As a wildlife animal care volunteer with

On the Cover:

BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Cen���������� tre, Chris heads out to their Metchosin facility ���������������������������������� once a week during peak season to help in the healing process of injured wild life. Additionally, ��������������������������������� Chris’ involvement has extended to fundraising, ����������������������������������������� ��������������������������� a critical aspect in this not-for-profit’s operation. ���������������������������������������� Tucker is a highly energetic two-and-a������������������������������������������ half-year-old Irish Terrier/Airedale mix, who is �������������������������������������������� learning agility. He is exceptionally intelligent, �������������������������������������������� loves to cuddle and considers food the greatest ������������������������������ object of his desire. He waits at the BC SPCA ������������������ ����������� ���������������������� Victoria Branch for an active, dog-savvy family ����������������������������������������������������� to take him home.

Each month, we email subscribers ������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������� our latest newsletter containing ���������������������������������������� more articles and information that �������������������������������������� you������������������������������ won’t find in our magazine! We include favourite recipes, community ������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������� events, promotions, recent Senior ������������������������������������� Living news, submissions from ��������������������������������������������� readers, inspiring links and much �������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� more! �����������������������������������������

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P

THE FAMILY CAREGIVER

Celebrating BC Family Caregiver Week

I

n British Columbia, over one million family and friend caregivers devote their time and energy towards helping someone else live a more comfortable, safe life while that person copes with a change or decline in their health. If you are not a family caregiver, you probably know someone who is – a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbour. Or perhaps you have someone providing care and support to you.

Although it is likely that caregiving will touch each of our families in some way over the years, it is often hard to predict how or when the situation will present itself. Even if your family has a known history of cancer, you still don’t know how, when, or if it will manifest. Caregiving can also start as a result of a sudden accident or fall or gradually as someone becomes less mobile and needs additional help with daily activities.

Family Caregiver Week in BC is being celebrated May 4–10. The goal of this week is to celebrate family caregivers, recognize the essential role they play as part of the healthcare team and to take time to acknowledge them for their dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life for the person to whom they are providing care.

If you know a family caregiver, thank them for all they are doing and encourage them to take time to take care of themselves, as well. Provide a few hours of respite, so the

BY BARBARA SMALL

caregiver can take a break, meet with friends or go for a walk. Offer to cook a meal for the family or to pick-up food and bring it to them. Send a thank you card or a bouquet of flowers to show your appreciation. Give them a gift certificate for a spa visit or dinner out, and remember to provide respite, so they can use it. Offer to do the grocery shopping or housework for the family caregiver. Taking time to show your appreciation can help the family caregiver stay strong and healthy, so they are better able to provide care more effectively for a longer period of time.

Watch for events being held in your local community during Family Caregiver Week, May 4-10. For information about free BC-wide webinars visit www.familycaregiversnetwork.org or call the BC Family Caregiver Support Line (BC) at 1-877-520-3267 for one-on-one support, information about community resources or help navigating the SL healthcare system.

Next month: The Value of Letting Go

Barbara Small is the Program Development Coordinator for Family Caregivers’ Network Society located in Victoria, BC. Call 250-384-0408 or visit www.familycaregiversnetwork.org

The Family Caregiver column is brought to you by the generous sponsorship of Saint Elizabeth

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SEPrivatePay-SeniorLivingVancouver-Oct2014-OL.indd 1 SENIOR LIVING

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2014-10-15 11:25 AM

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Give the Gift of the Future

A

few years ago, my sister’s dog Baker was diagnosed with cancer. Surgery to amputate his leg was his only hope for survival. Expensive surgery. Ever resourceful, Katharine set about raising money to finance the operation. She recruited creative colleagues from the Toronto film industry, held fundraisers and pleaded with friends and family for donations.

Naturally, I added my contribution to Baker’s cancer fund. The outreach succeeded in funding the surgery and Baker merrily gambols about on three legs today.

I thought about that this week. Why did I give? Baker is not my dog; I’ve only met him a few times. Katharine’s salary easily outstrips mine; and she and I only see each other once or twice a year.

Then it struck me: I did it for me! I believe that, at our core, humans are innately self-interested. So, as a self-interested human, I gave to Baker’s cancer fund because of the way it made me feel – about me. Even when I’ve donated anonymously, I still get rewarded with feeling good about myself.

At first blush, that sounds like a bad thing. But self-interest does not mean selfish. In fact, recognizing that our self-interest can often be best served by helping others may be a necessary condition for our survival.

If giving to charity, volunteering or even helping out a friend cost us money and time and made us feel bad about ourselves, would we do it? Of course not. The warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from acts of apparent selflessness helps make the connection… and makes the world a better place.

Donating and volunteering to help out friends and strangers is not just about the doing… it’s also about the feeling. Sure, others could benefit greatly from our generosity, but so do we. And that’s okay. Everybody wins!

Locally or globally, lending a hand or sharing your wealth (regardless of the amount) can make a huge impact on a person’s (or animal’s) life – not the least of which is your own.

A

legacy

gift

to the B.C. Wildlife Federation allows you to contribute to a sustainable future through conservation and rehabilitation of B.C.’s precious fish and wildlife habitats and ecosystems.

Help us protect, enhance and promote the wise use of the environment for present and future generations.

Contact us today to leave your conservation legacy!

BCWF Development Coordinator 1-888-881-2293 ext. 223 dev_coordinator@bcwf.bc.ca www.bcwf.bc.ca Registered Charity # 11880 1315 RR0001

– Bobbie Jo Reid Managing Editor

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MAY 2015

57

Planned Giving

At Home in Africa

BY ENISE OLDING

Bob and Helen Nation hold an African momento at their home in Duncan, BC.

Photo: Enise Olding

“D

o you want to go to Africa or get married?”

And, with that Bob and Helen Nation embarked on a life plan that continued from the day they graduated university to today as a retired couple living in Duncan, British Columbia. They did get married, and Africa became as much their home as Canada.

Helen hails from Winnipeg where she met Bob whose father was in the armed forces and, consequently, moved around a lot, but Kingston, Ontario was considered home by him. Still students, at that time, each knew they wanted to devote their life to aiding those in Africa. Later, they met again in Ontario, and it was then they put their shared goals into action by applying with CUSO for work in Africa.

Considering themselves lucky, they headed off on a twoyear posting (1968–1970) in Tanzania, where Helen worked as a librarian and Bob in computer science. Life there was fairly regulated for them and they spent their time in an urban environment, not visiting the countryside often but always maintaining a keen interest in developing countries.

After another CUSO posting in Nigeria for five years, Bob and Helen decided, “to follow the hippie trail, and that experience changed our lives,” says Helen. “It made us see that we didn’t ever want to settle down to a normal existence,” adds Bob. Eventually, they were required to return to Winnipeg to assist their elderly parents, and go to work there.

Growing more and more restless, Bob and Helen were reAGGV_9001_AG754_X1a.pdf 1 2015-04-20 2:39 PM lieved when a friend offered Bob work in Qatar on the Arabi-

an Gulf for nine years. They jumped at the chance and, while there, Helen taught ESL. This sojourn overseas led to their retirement in 1996 and another return to Winnipeg to attend to family obligations.

Eventually, a move to BC provided Bob and Helen with a warmer place to live and consider what was next for them.

They were still very interested in the greater world and strong in their passion to assist in any way they could in Africa.

Through good fortune, contact came from a British profes-

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Contact: Megan Landels at mlandels@aggv.ca or 250-384-4171 ext. 227 for more information.

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sor they had known in Nigeria with a suggestion they join her in Tanzania to help with her work there. Of course, they would. Bob and Helen spent two months in the Village of Kikombwe, and it was there that their life’s work burst into bloom.

“We met the people of the village, got to know the locals and made friends with them,” says Helen. Becoming part of the fabric of the village, speaking the language of the tribe, “we were immersed into village life, and energized by it,” says Bob. The Village of Kikombwe is set on a partly treed southern savannah in southcentral Tanzania, it has about 4,000 inhabitants spread over five to eight kilometres. The staple crops are maize and beans; there is no central electricity supply, but it does have cellphone service. The largest commercial centre and regional capital is the City of Iringa, which is 45km away.

While there, it became clear to Bob and Helen that the village desperately

needed a source of clean, safe water.

The villagers collected water during the rainy season, but the rest of the time relied on the muddy streams that irrigated the land. So, it was back to Vancouver Island to consider how to tackle this and make a plan to provide drinking water to Kikombwe.

Bob and Helen put together a presentation and spoke with local groups such as Elder College, church congregations and did their best to get the needs of

Kikombwe out to others. It was at one church gathering, where the quality of life of the villagers was noted, that someone asked: “What can we do for these people?” That triggered the Nations to announce they would go back and deal with the water situation. They sent this information out in their Christmas cards and told everyone to spread the word. Donations from $10-$1000 came in and, along with their own money, Bob and Helen finally had enough

BC’s Ancient Forest Heritage Makes us Special.

The difference you make could be life itself Leaving a gift in your Will helps thousands of women and newborns each year. With a legacy to BC Women’s Hospital Foundation you transform the lives of others for generations to come.

Leave a Conservation Legacy for Your Grandchildren and Future Generations.

Support the Ancient Forest Alliance with Monthly Giving, Donations, or a Bequest.

• Victoria Main PO, Box 8459, Victoria, BC, V8W 3S1 • www.AncientForestAlliance.org • 250-896-4007

To make a donation or learn more:

bcwomensfoundation.org James Carruthers 604.875.2798

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MAY 2015

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Planned Giving

You can always be there for them.

Give a second chance at a happy life… there is no better gift you can give an animal in need. Include a gift in your Will or designate a life insurance policy to the BC SPCA to set tails wagging!

to go back and fulfill their dreams – and those of Kikombwe.

But that wasn’t all. Bob and Helen thoroughly researched the topic with professionals and others involved in cleanwater projects. They learned a great deal because “we didn’t want to bite off more than we could chew,” says Bob. “We started fundraising with the thought that with $20,000 we could do something. But whatever we did, we wanted it to be right. We were not as naive as many other people who have tackled similar projects.”

They brushed up on their Swahili and continued their research in Dar Es Salaam, connected with other proven organizations, perused all the local government reports and water acts, working all the time within the government structure and obtaining all required authorizations and going through the required channels. The key, they learned, was to have a good engineer. And, as luck would have it, they found one simply by overhearing a conversation between water experts, and from there one thing led to another.

Their proposal to sink four wells was put to the Kikombwe Village Council and the villagers, and it was met with posi-

Visit us today at spca.bc.ca/support or contact

Villagers gather to witness water flowing for the first time.

Photos: Courtesy of Nation Collection

Yolanda Benoit ybenoit@spca.bc.ca 1.800.665.1868

tive but reserved encouragement – these villagers had had promises before. But the Nations proved indefatigable; they set out their plan and stuck with it. It took 15 months from idea to running water, and 18 months, in all, from idea to four wells. When Bob and Helen left Kikombwe, there was a water committee in place to maintain, sustain and oversee the operations and finances of the wells and water supply.

And, with that, the Nations headed back to Duncan, but they knew they’d be returning to Kikombwe. “We’ll go back in two years, if it is all okay, and we’ll fund ourselves, the same as before, but this time we have pictures and successes to build on,” said Bob. Well, they did go back, and things were and still are going well on the water front.

Over the years, contacts expanded, knowledge grew and friendships were cemented. When they did go back, it was to the neighbouring village of Malagosi. Here, the situation was a little different as there was a source of fresh water that, if engineered correctly, could gravity feed a system to bring water down to the village. Bob and Helen poured all their 810

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energies into getting water to Malagosi.

A small dam collects pure water in settling tanks from a proven spring on a plateau above the village. Large diameter HDPE piping carries the water three kilometres downhill to a 50 cubic metre storage tank. Trenches for the piping are then dug, the piping laid, and the water flow is hooked up to 10 tap outlets throughout the village. To get this done, the project was broken down into three phases with the first being fundraising: “fundraising is a total mystery to me,” admits Helen, “I can’t project who will give. But people rarely challenged us; we are well intentioned and would not spoil things or waste their money.”

Your donation or legacy gift will fund vital research which will change the future of cancer care.

For information and support, visit see-red.ca or call 866-674-8889 © Bladder Cancer Canada 2015

A young boy joyfully pumps water for his family.

The second phase was the purchase of the pipe and the digging of the trenches.

Everyone worked together to do this, villagers enthusiastically participated in the digging – women with babies slung on their backs, men and children – a colourful line of people up to their ankles in mud, and faces wreathed in smiles.

Right now, Phase Three is underway with the laying of pipe to extend the network, and much of the work can be monitored from Canada by the engineer, who has, in turn, became enamored with the project and is enthusiastically seeking further funding, and spreading the word.

When asked about health issues and adapting to life in an African village, Bob and Helen look surprised. There were no

Your Legacy

You can help provide outstanding care to future peninsula residents.

Just think of all the good your planned gift could do.

It’s our hospital 250-652-7531 sphf.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

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Planned Giving

Keep Families Together

Leave a legacy for BC children and families Your gift to Ronald McDonald House BC will provide safe and affordable accommodation for BC families with sick children at our new 73-bedroom facility and keep them together when it matters most.

Contact us for information: 604-736-2957 plannedgiving@rmhbc.ca

www.rmhbc.ca

issues for them; they simply blended in with life in the village. If a delivery of seedlings was delivered and extra help was required to unload the truck, they’d pitch in. Bob went to the local medical man for a problem and got a simple diagnosis and a solution, which turned out to be completely accurate. Helen became the village seamstress. If they wanted to get anywhere, they took the bus. They lived modestly in the same style of dwelling as the others and ate the same meals, albeit with an extra potato or two to spice up the menu.

Bob and Helen plan to go back to Malagosi in 2016. “As long as we have health and wealth, we’ll go back,” they vow.

In the meantime, they have chosen to leave their house rented out while they snuggle down in the little cottage at the back, save their money, and hope that the fundraising – now thankfully handled by Juma’s World, which provides tax receipts and website coverage – allows them to see even more taps installed in Malagosi.

What is needed to live this life of planned giving? According to Bob and Helen Nation, it is: adaptability, patience and optimism plus a joy in meeting new people. “I am totally amazed at how happy all this makes us, I can’t explain it, but SL there it is,” says Helen.

For more information or to contribute to water projects, visit www.Jumasworld.org/african-projects/malagosi.html or www.cusointernational.org/ Bob and Helen can be contacted at bhnation2012@gmail.com

Your legacy: a better future for everyone touched by cancer.

Research is our Foundation.

When you remember the BC Cancer Foundation in your will, you’ll be supporting world-renowned research in BC that is shaping the future of cancer care.

Please be sure to use the full legal name of our organization: BC Cancer Foundation

Registration Number: 11881 8434 RR0001 Toll free 1.888.906.2873 www.bccancerfoundation.com 12 10

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Plant your legacy today.

Be forever.

Find out how at vancouverfoundation.ca/belikealice or call Kristin at 604.629.5186

#BeLikeAlice

vancouverfdn

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MAY 2015

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Planned Giving

Friends of the Library

BY BEV YAWORSKI

Delta Friends of the Library Arlene Fedoruk, with Delta Friends of the Library, reports that their group has about 60 volunteers who take part. One of their most successful events has been Shreda-thons when residents and small business are able to bring in old papers that need to be shredded for security reasons.

The Shred-a-thons are by donation. “A lot of people come

Delta Friends of the Library volunteers Arlene Fedoruk and Joann Wilkins hosting refreshments honouring Canadian Library Month.

Photos: Fraser Valley Regional Library staff

P

ublic libraries are a fundamental part of Canadian society by providing equal access to information for all citizens. To help support the ongoing role of libraries, non-profit charitable groups, called Friends of the Library, have formed to help with activities such as fundraising, volunteering, education and literacy programs.

“We see our Friends of the Library as library champions,” says Scott Hargrove, Chief Executive Officer, Fraser Valley Regional Library. “They are volunteers who believe that libraries are vital community destinations and resources for literacy, recreation, informed decision making and social interaction. Our Friends of the Library groups do fund raising: book sales, puzzle sales, quiz nights, and other special events. They also often help with library programs and with refreshments.”

Fraser Valley Regional Library has 11 Friends of the Library groups that support libraries located from White Rock to Chilliwack to Hope.

out to this library fundraiser and the community has been very generous,” reports Arlene. We’ve made approximately $1,000 each time. We are also able to give charitable tax receipts for donations of $20 and up.”

Arlene, a retired library information assistant, and her husband John, give considerable volunteer hours to their Friends group. She emphasizes that their organization has helped out at children’s programs such as contests for

You have spiritual roots too and the need to reach out to others.

Programmes for families and adults, church services, and opportunities to reach out to others can be explored at

www.stbarnabaschurch.ca

Saint Barnabas Anglican Church Corner of Belmont and Begbie, Victoria 14 12

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school-aged readers, volunteering at events such as an Anniversary Celebration and the Opening of the William Allister Art unveiling. Their fundraising efforts have assisted with children’s reading programs and extra furnishings for the libraries such as a wide-screen TV. This group has moved away from having huge book sales due to limited storage space and instead their libraries have ongoing smaller racks of in-house pre-used sale items.

Support your library.

Your bequest helps inspire literacy and lifelong learning for generations to come.

Greater Victoria Public Library Friends With a membership of about 250 people, representing 10 Victoria-area libraries, the Greater Victoria Public Library Friends is a very active organization. Book sales are a major part of their volunteer activity, which includes maintaining a book store: the Friends of the Library Friendshop. The shop offers an ever-changing selection of “previously-loved” library materials, donated books, magazines, DVDs and

Tel: 250-940-4875 x. 345 gvpl.ca/donate Charitable Registration Number BN 11894 6979 RR0001

This artist didn’t receive the support he needed in his lifetime… ensure that the arts in your community are supported during yours Remember the Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula in your estate planning To leave a lasting legacy: 250-656-7400, cacsp.com

LIVE ON

The Bloom Group - formerly St. James Community Service Society - has served the most vulnerable people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for over 50 years.

Please include The Bloom Group in your estate planning.

Live on in us.

For more information, please call Lesley Anderson at 604 606 0356, or email landerson@thebloomgroup.org.

We acknowledge the assistance of the Town of Sidney, District of North Saanich, Municipality of Central Saanich and the Province of British Columbia through the British Columbia Arts Council

www.thebloomgroup.org

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Planned Giving You can create a lasting legacy of love for all of BC’s children.

Be remembered.

For more information please contact the Gift & Estate Planning team at

1 888 663 3033

or plannedgivinginfo@bcchf.ca

bcchf.ca

When you include BC Children’s Hospital as part of your estate plans you could be saving the life of a child 20 or more years from now.

Do you know a family caregiver?

CDs, at reasonable prices. The shop is located in a hightraffic area, inside the entrance of the Greater Victoria Public Library at 735 Broughton Street.

“One of the pleasures of shopping at the Friendshop, is never knowing what you may find. We have everything from paperbacks to beautiful coffee-table picture books, and the stock changes constantly,” says Elaine Gibb, the shop’s comanager. “Our volunteers are always ready to give friendly assistance. Most of them are retirees from various walks of life, brought together by their love of books, people and the library.”

Regular huge book sales are also held at other library locations. For example: A March book sale was held at the Nellie McClung Library on Cedar Hill Rd. Also, mark your calendars for the big library book sale being held on November 21 and 22 at Pearkes Recreation Centre, Victoria.

These events involve dedicated volunteers collecting, sorting, setting up, helping customers and tabulating results. Victoria Friends also maintain a newsletter, website, and Facebook page to publicize library news and resources.

“We are finding that our members and the public are turning to the website and Facebook for information about Friends’ activities, and to share news and photos,” says Jacqui Ward, the Victoria Friends’ newsletter editor. “Thousands of people all over Greater Victoria learned about our March book sale electronically.”

You can always be there for them.

There are a million unpaid people in BC taking care of a spouse, family member, or friend with poor health, a disability, or age-related challenges.

They need information and support, and we’re here to give it to them.

Give a second chance at a happy life. . . there is no better gift you can give to a wild animal in need.

Include a gift in your Will or designate a life insurance policy to the BC SPCA to set wings flapping!

Let us help

Visit us today at spca.bc.ca/support or contact Caregiver Support Line 1 877 520 3267 Office 250 384 0408 Hours: 8:30am-4:00pm www.familycaregiversbc.ca

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Yolanda Benoit ybenoit@spca.bc.ca 1.800.665.1868

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In the past 15 years, the Victoria Friends have raised over $600,000. This work has contributed to many special projects for the Greater Victoria Public Library. Monies raised have provided library materials kits to the parents of new babies, prizes for the Children’s Summer Reading Club, ebook readers, outreach materials to seniors and adults living in care facilities by making readers available for loans to care facilities and much more.

One of the more innovative projects that this Friends group has assisted with is the Victoria Seed Library – a way for hobby and beginner gardeners to share garden seeds and other gardening resources, and to connect with other seed savers. This project began in 2014 with over 175 members signed up, and over 280 packets of seeds distributed.

Let saving lives and creating hope

BE YOUR LEGACY By including the Heart and Stroke Foundation in your estate plan, you’ll support life-saving heart disease and stroke research — and give Canadians more time to laugh, love and live!

How Can You Help?

Library Friends always welcome additional assistance and involvement. It could be by becoming a member, volunteering at a book sale or shop, helping with promotion, organizing an event or making a donation.

Anyone interested in one of these groups can contact their local library for information, or visit the Greater Victoria Public Library Friends website http://www.gvplfriends. ca or Fraser Valley Regional Library http://www.fvrl.bc.ca/ SL friends_of_the_library.php

To start planning your Legacy Gift, call Jane Westheuser at 1-866-473-4636 ext 8020 or visit heartandstroke.ca/legacygiving

Our ability to change the lives of women in our community depends on YOU!

Donate to WIN (Victoria Women In Need), and join our journey to make a difference in our community.

www.womeninneed.ca/donate 250-480-4006 x203

LEAVE A LEGACY OF HOPE We grant wishes because wishes change lives.

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

MAKE-A-WISH® BC & YK 604.688.7944 www.makeawishbc.ca bcchapter@makeawish.ca

MAY 2015

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Planned Giving

Community is Like Family

BY KATE ROBERTSON

Photo: Kate Robertson

A

ccording to a Statistics Canada 2010 survey, volunteering is on the rise in Canada with 47 per cent of Canadians over age 15 volunteering in some capacity.

However, 10 per cent of volunteers account for 53 per cent of all of the work.

Although young Canadians (under 24) volunteer about 17 per cent more than preretirees and seniors (55 and up), they only volunteer half the hours of the over 65s. Rates are consistently higher in rural regions.

Volunteer P’nina Shames in her Nelson neighbourhood overlooking Kootenay Lake.

NATURE THEIRS TO INHERIT YOURS TO PROTECT

BIG VALLEY, SASKATCHEWAN; PHOTO BY CHERIE WESTMORELAND.

With a gift in your Will, you can make a difference and help save Canada’s natural places.

Contact us today for more information: 1-800-465-0029 ext. 5

natureconservancy.ca/plannedgiving

Since 1962, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and its partners have helped to protect more than 2.7 million acres of ecologically significant land, coast to coast.

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01167227_702211626.PDF;Date: Apr 02, 2014 10:47:53;Quicktrac Proof

01167227_702211626.PDF;Date: Apr 02, 2014 10:47:53;Quicktrac Proof

P’nina Shames from Nelson, BC fits this profile. Some of her volunteering is time limited, like a specific amount of time on a Board, while others have been ongoing for as long as 10 years. Her impressive recent list includes: the Kootenay Mountaineering Club, Osprey Community Foundation, Civic Theatre, Nelson Nordic Ski Club, Adoptive Families Association of BC, the strata council of her condo, the mayoral candidacy for Nelson, the Elephant Mountain Literary Festival and the Coldest Night campaign.

When choosing where to commit her volunteer hours, P’nina advises, “I pick the organization that fits my interests and values, as well as those that have a need that I can comfortably fill.” She loves nature and the outdoors, Last year, her life. life.Today, Today,she’s she’s Last year,a aroutine routinediagnostic diagnosticexam exam saved saved her her local hospital will be in the best position to help her the arts and culture, and community development and hoping hoping her local hospital will be in the best position to help for years to come...You can help. policy and governance. A good example of how she gets grandchildren her grandchildren for years to come... You can help.

Last year, a routine Last year, diagnostic a routineexam diagnostic saved exam her life. saved Today, hershe’s life. Today, she’s involved is her experience with the Elephant Mountain Bylocal leaving a Legacy Gift Will Burnaby Hospital hoping her hoping hospital her local will be hospital in in theyour will best be position intothe best to help position her to Foundation, help her Literary Festival in 2014. She had been going to their an- youBy can make a difference inyour someone’s life diagnosing leaving a to Legacy Gift into Will to Burnaby Hospital an illness, grandchildren grandchildren for years come...You for years can come...You help. canbyhelp. away pain, saving nual festival for a couple of years and asked some people taking Foundation, youor can makeaa life. difference in someone’s life by leaving adiagnosing By Legacy leaving Giftan a in Legacy your Will Giftto inBurnaby your Will Hospital toorBurnaby Foundation, Foundation, illness, taking away pain, saving a Hospital life. she knew on the organizing committee if there wasBy some Foryou more information, call Sylvia Zylla at 604.431.2804 or e-mail can make a difference can make in a difference someone’s inlife someone’s by diagnosing life byan diagnosing illness, an illness, way she could help. It turned out that the personyou who sylvia.zylla@bhfoundation.ca taking away taking pain, oraway saving pain, a life. or saving a life.

For more information, call Sylvia Zylla at 604.431.2804 or email organized their local authors’ table had left town. “This sylvia.zylla@bhfoundation.ca was a great opportunity for me and a great experience,” For more information, For more information, call Sylvia Zylla callat Sylvia 604.431.2804 Zylla at 604.431.2804 or e-mail or e-mail sylvia.zylla@bhfoundation.ca sylvia.zylla@bhfoundation.ca says P’nina. “I got lots of local authors who have no or low profiles to put their books on the table and all but one sold at least one book. That felt great, and the local authors were very pleased.”

Volunteering isn’t just something the 71-year old started since retiring two years ago from her RN social worker that keeps on giving... position. She started in her late teens and was actively involved during her university years from 1962-1968, which, she says, “were infused with lots of volunteering in the political arena as, in those days, there was a very strong anti-war civil rights and anti-draft movement that I was deeply involved with.”

One early and rewarding memory that stands out, P’nina confides, “is when I was a young mom, single parenting, I had gone in front of city council on my own to ask them to pass a no smoking in public places by-law.

That didn’t work, and I realized that was the wrong strategy. Later on, when my son was still young enough to be going to bed at about 7 p.m., I went again to city council.

But this time, I had done some legwork and had support from key players in the community and at least one city Give a neighbour a lift...your gift of councillor, and asked them to strike a committee to look time or a donation will help a Saanich into a clean indoor air by-law. They agreed, and the comresident live independently and mittee meetings were held at my house after my son was stay connected to community. sound asleep. We got the by-law passed and have never looked back. This was an issue that was very important to Call 250-595-8008 ext. 21 me, and the times had changed such that there was more or visit www.saanichvolunteers.org public sympathy for this type of community change, so I to find out how you can help. just went for it.”

Neighbours helping neighbours P’nina is not sure how her strong commitment to volun-

Planned Giving

The War Amps

A Legacy of “Amputees Helping Amputees” Since 1918, The War Amps has met the needs of war amputees. Today, the Association continues to serve them, and all amputees, including children.

We would welcome a gift or charitable bequest in your will.

With your help, The War Amps will continue to meet its commitments to amputees long into the future.

For information about leaving a gift in your will, contact:

1 800 363-4067 • plannedgiving@waramps.ca • waramps.ca Please visit our website for our Annual Report and Essential Financial Information. The War Amps is funded by donations to the Key Tag Service and does not receive government grants.

Charitable Registration No.: 13196 9628 RR0001

teering originated. “To me, it’s important to give back to the community, but I am also a strong believer in the notion that one’s community is like your larger family, so it’s important to do what we can to take care of our community/family,” she says. “This idea is something that has evolved as I have matured and defined, for myself, what is important to me.

Being connected – having a sense of belonging, and being helpful when able – are all important to me.”

When P’nina is not volunteering, she stays active, getting out for some kind of activity every day – whether that’s a run, ski, hike, swim or bike ride. She also loves gardening and enjoys travelling with her partner, usually on “activity” trips, like a past cycling tour to Turkey, or a hiking trip to Romania planned for this fall with a cycle trip from Berlin to Copenhagen tagged onto one end, and another cycling trip to Colombia planned for 2016.

P’nina’s time commitment to volunteering is about five hours per week, and if you’re curious how she finds the energy to volunteer on top of her busy lifestyle, she clarifies, “Volunteering gives me energy, so it’s somewhat the other way around. I am energized by my volunteer activities, and if I wasn’t volunteering, I would be less energetic, a little more isolated, and probably more self-centred. That’s how I see it now – maybe that view will change in the future.”

To keep balance in her active life, P’nina relaxes by

Your legacy can change everything Where will our trained and skilled workforce come from?

Our health care professionals, our trades workers, our technicians, our educators?

When you leave a planned gift to Camosun College, you’re creating a legacy that secures promising futures for our students and prosperous communities for all • •

Annuities Trusts

• •

• RRSPs Foundation Bequests & RRIF Life Insurance

Make a gift of lasting change.

To discuss your personal giving goals contact: Angie Bowles or Karen Whyte, Advancement Managers

Camosun College Foundation Interurban Campus 20 18

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T: 250-370-4233

E: foundation@camosun.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Foundation camosun.ca/foundation

reading and advises, “I have no trouble lying in bed until noon, completely absorbed in a good book, although I don’t do this very often. Reading has become a passion, as it’s something I didn’t have time or energy for during my schooling and working life.”

The Stats Can survey found 93 per cent of people volunteer because they want to contribute to their community, and P’nina agrees. “Volunteering is important to communities, because it makes a difference. Just look at the many examples of big things that have happened in communities as a result of multiple small and large volunteer efforts. Communities need, and would not survive and progress, without volunteers.”

But P’nina admits she also has selfish motives for volunteering. “Because it feels good – it’s as simple as that. Volunteering increases my own social engagement, garners expressions of appreciation, gives me a good feeling because the small things I do as a volunteer fill small but important needs, makes me feel useful and valued, and the other folks I get to rub elbows with as a volunteer are all terrific

people who also like to volunteer – so it’s easy to make these kinds of commitments. I am not one of those fortunate retirees surrounded with kids and grandkids, so I need to be connected in other ways. But I think even if I had my son and grandkids nearby, I would still volunteer.”

National Volunteer Week took place in April, but any week is of the year is SL a perfect time to get involved.

P’nina’s Tips: • Think of what is important to you.

The sectors that use volunteers are endless: sports, church activities, youth, elderly, health-related, social services, arts and culture, academic support, motorized and non-motorized outdoor infrastructures, wildlife and environmental preservation, human rights, politics, personal growth support, help with folks with disabilities and many more.

• Don’t worry about making giant commitments – sometimes people think they can’t volunteer because they can’t follow through, or don’t want others depending on them, yet they want to help. There are always events and activities that need helping hands on a one-time basis.

• In small communities, use your own contacts, networks and connections to find out how to help.

• In large communities, there is often a Volunteer Bureau or some central contact number or website (see volunteerbc.bc.ca also govolunteer.ca, which lists opportunities by city), that coordinates volunteers and will direct potential volunteers to organizations needing and using volunteers.

Our 60th Anniversary serving the needs of physically disabled throughout B.C. Our Mission is to help fund & support organizations and individuals facing challenges, and improve quality of life and independence.

Help us to help others!

Our Accomplishments include: •Technology for independent living •Noble House •Education programs •Support of Ronald McDonald House And, we are “Calling All kin” as well!

Please support our programs! Learn more, and donate at: www.goingstrong.ca Thank you for 60 years of support!! We have a variety of ways that you can help!!

For more info, Email: kinsmenfoundationofbc@shaw.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

MAY 2015

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Planned Giving

Your Gifts Can Make a Global Impact

BY CATHERINE WALLACE

L

ast year, Bill Gates boldly predicted that by 2035, “there will be almost no poor countries left in the world.” He asserted that development is gradually succeeding in eradicating extreme poverty and improving living conditions worldwide. While this seems like an ambitious claim, there is concrete evidence of this progress and the dramatic difference it’s already made. Maternal, newborn and child health is an example of how we can contribute to creating positive change that lasts.

Already, over the past 25 years, collective global efforts have reduced maternal and child mortality rates by about 50 per cent.

This is an incredible achievement and proof that, over time, we can create large-scale change. Yes, we’re making a difference in developing nations and making ongoing progress towards Gates’ prediction, yet there’s still more to do.

Pregnancy remains the leading cause of death worldwide for girls ages 15 to 19 and, every day, 29,000 children die before reaching their fifth birthday. It’s a tragic fact that the majority of these deaths could have been prevented with small, inexpensive interventions. But it’s also further proof we should keep working to solve these issues – because the solutions are within reach and we’ve already seen the difference they make.

Simple, low-cost interventions have enormous impact in preventing illness and death. Vaccines that cost less than $5 each save babies from fatal diseases. A nominal fee for emergency transportation gets pregnant women in rural areas to a health facility, where they can safely deliver their babies. Money for training and supplies for local health workers ensure that preventable diseases, like malaria and cholera, are significantly less of a threat to the lives of young children.

Small interventions have a ripple effect that reaches entire communities, regions and nations. Consider, for example, trained community volunteers who bring sexual and reproductive health information to rural families. As families are empowered to seek the care they need, communities and their leaders invest in and advocate for services they require. With guidance and support from non-governmental organizations, like Plan International Canada, health interventions are established that serve as a model for local governments and national ministries.

With these models, a nation can build its own ability to expand and continue these services. This ripple effect is how we’ve so dramatically reduced maternal and child death in only 25 years.

Imagine what further investment could do towards saving the

Bereaved parents Greg and Karen with son Kairo and daughter Stella Marie

Gratitude

For investing in BC’s children with life-threatening illnesses and the families who love them.

Make a Legacy Gift to Canuck Place by calling Siobhan Aspinall at 604.646.1348.

www.canuckplace.org CanuckPlaceChildrensHospice

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@CanuckPlace

@CanuckPlace

A Gift to Last.

Everyone has their own reason for leaving a legacy to Peace Arch Hospital. Whether it’s to ensure future generations have access to quality health care close to home or wanting to express gratitude for exceptional care, let your legacy be a gift of health for your family, and for every family in our community.

What’s your reason for giving?

Hear our donor stories and learn more about planned giving at pahfoundation.ca. Simply click on ‘Ways to Give’ and ‘Legacy Giving’, or call Stephanie Beck at 604.542.3184

igh bours Ou r fri en ds an dr ne m ily an d fa ou ha ve be co m e th ey co nt in ue re su en to we wa nt ca re”. h alt he t to ha ve grea

Catherine Wallace is the Director of Individual and Corporate Philanthropy at Plan International Canada. Plan is one of the world’s oldest and largest international development agencies to end global poverty. Plancanada.ca

Do you want to be remembered for your good nature?

Carmanah Valley | Clayoquot Sound |remembered Great Bear Rainforest Do you you want tobe beremembered Do want to You’ve been with us every step of the way. Thank you. for your yourgood goodnature? nature? for Sierra Club BC is a trusted friend and one of B.C.’s oldest environmental

Sierra Club B.C.’s BC iswilderness a trusted friendSierra andClub one ofyour groups.

Safeguard by including BC in Carmanah Valley | Clayoquot Sound | Great Bear Rainforest estate plans.

Carmanah Valley | Clayoquot Sound | Great Bear Rainforest B.C.’s oldest environmental groups. Safeguard You’ve been with us every step of the way. Thank you.

You’ve with that us every the way.

Thank you.

A gift in your been will ensures we canstep keepof B.C. wild for generations to come.

nature by including Sierra Club BC in your Sierra Club BC is a trusted friend and one of B.C.’s oldest environmental estate plans.

Sierra Club BC is a trusted friend and one of B.C.’s oldest environmental

groups.

Safeguard B.C.’s wilderness by including Sierra people, Club BCplease in your To find Safeguard out more or to learn about by other good natured groups.

B.C.’s wilderness including Sierra Club BC in your visit: estate plans. www.sierraclub.bc.ca/legacies estate plans.

A gift in your will ensures that we can keep B.C. A gift in your will ensures that we can keep B.C. wild for generations to come.

A gift in your ensures that we canto keep B.C. wild for generations to come. wild forwillgenerations come.

To find out more or to learn about other good natured people, please visit: To find out more or to learn about other good natured people, please visit: www.sierraclub.bc.ca/legacies www.sierraclub.bc.ca/legacies Please contact: Michelle Johnson (250) 386-5255 ext. 250 michelle@sierraclub.bc.ca Registered charity #11914 9797 RR0001 Please contact: Please contact: Michelle Johnson Michelle Johnson (250) 386-5255 ext. 250 (250) 386-5255 ext. 250 michelle@sierraclub.bc.ca michelle@sierraclub.bc.ca

Leave a Legacy for Freedom

©Amnesty International

lives of mothers and children who are still at risk, or who may be at risk in the future.

Recently, the Canadian government committed an additional $3.5 billion towards improving maternal, newborn and child health around the world. These funds are channeled through organizations, like Plan, that have the expertise and in-country relationships to carry out effective long-term projects. These funds are combined with crucial donations from Canadian individuals to multiply impact and enable organizations to build on years of poverty-reduction and health programming, applying solutions that communities will, in time, sustain on their own.

Consider the change you want to create in the world through your own philanthropy. With a vision to the future, even small investments can make life-changing improvements that will influence generations. Planning a legacy gift through your will, and telling the chosen charities, allows them to plan for future programming and large-scale developments. Similarly, a lifetime contribution to an endowed fund, such as Plan’s Because I am a Girl fund, can have a powerful impact on longer-term projects and effectively sustain your own charitable goals.

Your contributions towards sustainable global change can improve lives now, in 2035, and for generations to follow. Your SL legacy can be their future.

and Justice

Rebiya Kadeer was sentenced to eight years in prison for speaking out against the persecution of the Uighurs, an ethnic minority group in China. After Amnesty International campaigned on her behalf, she received crucial medical care and was released.

After you have provided for your loved ones, please consider including a gift in your will to help Amnesty International continue to defend courageous people like Rebiya Kadeer who speak out for human rights.

For information and assistance, contact: Heather Warren, Gift Planning Associate (613) 744-7667 ext. 239 hwarren@amnesty.ca www.amnesty.ca/plannedgiving 1-800-AMNESTY

Registered charity #11914 9797 RR0001 Registered charity #11914 9797 RR0001

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MAY 2015

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H

Getting Real about Rubbish

BY ANNE MIDDLETON

arry McKeever, 84, has single-handedly taken on the task of quietly cleaning up Nanaimo – one ditch at a time – from Lantzville to North Nanaimo, following its main highways and byways through to the downNanaimo town core. volunteer Over the past 16 months, Harry McKeever Nanaimo residents have spotted this spritely fellow, clad in a safety vest and armed with a pickup stick, walking along roadways dragging a garbage can fitted to a golf cart. Many have stopped to wish him luck, give accolades, and even offered to pay him or bring hot coffee. Harry deepest wish, however, is for drivers to think about their actions before dropping that little bit of paper, or worse, along roadways.

Harry began his mission out of frustration at seeing and more. his community littered in such a mess.

The municipality caught wind of Never idle, Harry golfs three days a Harry’s growing dilemma, since his week, followed by a bike ride around garage was filled with bags, organized the North end. Following neighbour- into recyclables and non-recyclables. hood roads, Harry was baffled by the To lessen Harry’s burden at home, aramount of litter and clutter he came rangements were made by the City’s across… and so it began. collection services to strategically colParking his bike, he took up the hike, lect the bags, weekly, along the main clearing rubbish as he made his way routes. To date, Harry has collected along side roads, the Island Highway, more than 230 bags. and finally the E & N trail.

After 35 years as a successful busiWithin weeks, Harry had collected nessman and outdoorsman in Whistler, and stored more than 20 bags of gar- Harry retired to Nanaimo and quickly bage, which quickly grew to 80. His became involved in community voluncollection ranged from bottles, cans, teering. His hope is that other proud resiconstruction materials, blankets, odd dents will join in to help in his endeavour clothing, bumpers, doggy-doo bags to keep Nanaimo beautiful.

SL

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Photo: Anne Middleton

Planned Giving

The 4 Musketeers of Watchdog Services

BY ANNE MIDDLETON

niors, lending them an understanding Chris, Ian, Dave and Bill are now the of computer security, plus creating weekly backbone team. When they are healthy computer systems. Along with not lined up, tinkering with computers, coaching comes training in cleaning and or training a confused soul, you will backing-up computers, then installation see them madly cycling along the many of effective security. bike paths of Nanaimo. Wind under This stellar team works well together their wheels, sturdy helmeted heads and and they enjoy providing assistance in wearing bright yellow jackets, these are an area where many people – not only Nanaimo’s modern day Musketeers. SL seniors – often struggle with fear and frustration. Best of all, they have a blast Looking for your unique Volunteer opdoing it. portunity? Call 250-758-7121 or visWatchdog offers onsite services to it www.volunteernanaimo.ca non-profit agencies and Three of the four Watchdog “Musketeers” accepts donations of old – armed with computers, not muskets. computer paraphernalia.

The team then checks these computers and disassembles them, recycling dead components and reusing any useful components, thus creating a stock pile of good computer parts for future repairs.

Thoroughly trained by

Photo: Anne Middleton

T

he Watchdog Services of Volunteer Nanaimo is comprised of four men – all retired but still working hard – providing a priceless service to many seniors and not-forprofit organizations in the community.

These 4 Musketeers, as they are fondly referred include: Chris Bolt, a retired military electrical engineer with many years of expertise; Ian McGlashen, a true blue Scotsman and retired baker with computer sense; Dave Beer, a former school administrator hailing from the Prairies; and Bill Satchel, the latest member of this techie brigade, who has a knack for computers.

Combined, they have many years of qualifying experience and add more daily through the Watchdog Services or Vancouver Island Technology Program, which has been operating for the past 10 years, all in the name of “giving” technical support – free of charge.

The program runs three days per week offering technical coaching to non-profit organizations and se-

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MAY 2015

25

Community

Magic Can Happen

When You Create Space for It

BY PAT NICHOL

T

Photos: Bill Weaver

Revera residents and Reel Youth videographers shared stories, laughter and learning in the Age is More project.

o celebrate International Women’s Day and the contributions women have made to the Victoria community, Revera’s The Kensington Retirement Community teamed up with Reel Youth in early February for a creative collaboration to produce short films. The result – a mix of learning, laughter and a few tears – was nothing short of magic.

The project was part of Revera’s ongoing effort to com-

bat ageism through their social initiative, Age Is More, which aims to build new multigenerational relationships.

Reel Youth is a not-for-profit program that encourages youth, adults and organizations to create and distribute compelling films about important issues. The young filmmakers documented residents’ inspiring stories about the changing face of equality for women in Canada over the last 75 years.

The concept of building bridges between generations was

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under the excellent tutelage of Zoe Miles, Reel Youth program director.

Her goal for the series was “an increase of understanding and comfort between generations.”

For some of the young women, it was a first-time experience in videography and film editing. The students ranged in age from 14 to 29.

Win Cushing

Shae-Linn, while the youngest at 14, had perhaps the most experience with older women. She recalled visiting and playing with her grandmother in a seniors home from an early age.

Through the experience, she says she

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gained more respect for the stories of her elders. “It is important to love life, love fun,” says Shae-Linn of what she learned. “Don’t remember the regrets, just happy moments.”

Tiffany was the eldest of the young videographers. She entered film school

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at 20 and is now returning after having three children. She has always had respect for elders as part of her culture. “One regret was that deeper conversations were not possible as the older generation did not want to appear to brag,” she says.

Already working in the film industry, Hillary joined the program when her employer suggested it would be a good experience. The lessons she took away were invaluable. “I learned we need to check assumptions, be open to moving forward, and allow ourselves to see the best in people,” she says.

“These women were my age once, they were teenagers dealing with the same things I deal with, just in a different context,” says one of the young women.

The Women’s Wisdom participants ranged in age from 61 to mid-90s.

For most of them, the surprises came from the memories that had been lying fallow for many years. Conversations with the young videographers brought them out.

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Like Dene, who wanted to be an engineer, but wasn’t allowed to as engineering wasn’t open to women, at that time. Instead, she became a nurse, an acceptable career for a woman. Returning to Hamilton after serving the war effort, she was asked to open the first psychiatric unit because she had the “common sense” to run it. A number of the patients were wives and mothers who simply needed to get away. They would check in for 10 days to two weeks for respite and then go back to working and raising families.

Hillary Ronald and Shae-Linn Davies review the shot.

Dene met her husband, Kit, in Bermuda, lived through the FLQ crisis in Montreal, moved out west as Kit was from here, and ran a B&B called the Crow’s Nest in Victoria.

For Dene, one of the annoyances of aging was invisibility.

A plight both ends of the age continuum share. “How can a woman with a walker be invisible?” she asks. “But we are.

This [project] was an opportunity to become visible again.”

For Lucille, flying was a way of life. Her husband was a bush pilot in the Northwest Territories, with flights from Yellowknife to Hay River and mail runs to Fort Providence.

They flew over many mountains, so, most of the time, the goal was simply to make it over the next mountain. Her stories are many, like the time an oil line broke and the couple had to

Complimentary lunch Complimentary dinner

Choice – it’s what living at a Revera retirement community is all about.

That’s why, Revera – Parkwood Place would like to invite you and a guest for your choice of a complimentary lunch or dinner and tour. Take the opportunity to learn about your retirement options, explore our beautiful amenity spaces and speak with residents about what it’s like to live at Parkwood Place. See why they tell us they “should have done this years ago.”

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250-598-1565 reveraliving.com

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29 27

land on a lake. They couldn’t raise a signal, so had to hike through the snow to the highway. There is a story that once Lucille flew the plane, but no one talks about that much.

She has a beautiful philosophy: “Smile and the whole world smiles back. Laughter and friends are the best things in life.”

Joyce, who just turned 89, remembers exactly where she was on September 3 at 11 a.m. when war was declared. Part of the second group of women to be trained as radar mechanics, Joyce was posted to radar stations all around Britain. When she was posted to Bomber Command, her job was to monitor navigational aids, so she was constantly climbing in and out of Lancaster Bombers to check the equipment on board.

Her time in the RAF was one of her greatEileen Mainer

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est adventures. In 1957, she and her family left England for Victoria. Her husband said he immigrated with two kids, one pregnant wife, one dog and 22 pieces of luggage.

Ten films were created over six days; a remarkable feat of energy and love. The films captured the magic and the moments that made this program so inspiring.

Several weeks after all the work was done, a gala evening was held at The Kensington with balloons, speeches, sparkles and the highlight of the evening: 10 magical videos starring Deborah Johnson – The Best Times are Now; Joyce Johnson; Nancy Love – A Word about Life; Rosemary Kitching – Around We Go; Win Cushing – The Great Life of Win; Elfie Brandstaetter

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Shae-Linn Davies gets down on the floor for the perfect angle.

– Move it or Lose it; Elaine Mainer; Lucille Danes – Making the Next Mountain; Dene Mainguy - Meet Dene; and Betty SL Humphrey – Banter with Betty.

To see these videos, visit ageismore.com To attend a screening and Mother’s Day tea with some of the alumni from the Age is More project on Friday, May 8th from 2-4 p.m., RSVP The Kensington at 250-477-1232. This event is open to the public.

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harmasave Broadmead opened in the Broadmead Village Shopping Centre in November 1991. As the community grew around the shopping centre, so did the Pharmasave Broadmead. The store has undergone 4 renovations and two expansions since it’s opening; the most recent one completed in November 2014 when the store expanded to its current size. The store now offers full service cosmetics with prestigious lines like Guerlain, Elizabeth Arden, Orlane, Caudalie, Vichy and more. Prestigious jewellery lines include Hillberg & Berk, Kenneth Cole and Kameleon. You will also find an exciting fashion valley with Matt & Nat, Up!, and baggallini travel bags.

The expanded Home Health Care department, managed by an LPN, has a complete selection of walkers, wheel chairs, other mobility aids, home safety products with an extensive rental program and special order program. A larger giftware department offers a unique variety of home decor and one of a kind gifts. The pharmacy area has a fully equipped compounding lab for specialty compounding, along with a large counselling area which is used for injections, vaccines and private medication reviews. Contact our very helpful pharmacy staff for full details.

As the Pharmasave Broadmead is locally owned and operated, owners Andrea Hyndman, Satnam Lalli, Michelle and Dave Jeske know the importance of staying connected with the community. Not only do they all live and work in the community, they give back to the community which has supported them over the years. The store is involved in many fundraising campaigns including Variety The Children’s Charity, Canadian Cancer Society, and Canucks for Kids. Local non-profit groups, schools and community fundraising efforts have also been strongly supported by the store. Pharmasave Broadmead has won charity champions five years in a row and store of the year several times.

Please come and visit us for your Pharmacy, Home Health Care, Cosmetic, Photo, giftware and fashion needs. Use your Pharmasave Broadmead Rewards Card to accumulate points.

We look forward to welcoming you.

For more information, please contact: Catherine Cornish, Manager, Planned Giving Phone: 604.520.4902 Email: catherine.cornish@fraserhealth.ca www.rchfoundation.com/legacy

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Pharmasave Broadmead 310 - 777 Royal Oak Drive, Victoria BC 250-727-3505

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MAY 2015

31

Living History Arts & Entertainment

BY KEVIN MCKAY

Entertainer Douglas Fraser

WIldlIfe legaCIes If you are interested in making a living Will or leaving a legacy in your Will to North Island Wildlife Recovery Association, please email us at wildlife@niwra.org for a brochure & video.

We provide care to critically sick, injured and orphaned wildlife such as eagles, owls, song birds and black bears. Help care for these animals by partnering with us through your legacy gift or donation.

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North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre 250-248-8543 Box 364, 1240 Leffler Road Errington, BC

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Please visit our website under “How to Help” at

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BN119060549RR0001

Photo: Jennifer Nelson

I

t is difficult to come away from spending time with Douglas Fraser and not believe you have just spoken to one of the most interesting people you will ever meet. He was born in Stratford, Ontario to intriguing parents and, at the age of 65, is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down.

Douglas is a living, breathing piece of history with personal connections to the entertainment industry in North America that most cannot even imagine. Who else has fronted a band that opened for Bryan Adams, lived in a house with Orson Welles for the better part of a year and had a mother who was picked up after school one day by Buffalo Bill Cody?

Doug’s father was also born in Ontario, one of 13 children, to an elderly couple. When they both passed away, he hitchhiked to Florida to try to fulfill a dream by joining the Ringling Brothers Circus shortly before his seventh birthday!

“The circus took him, educated him, trained him and made him a big star, just like he wanted,” says Doug. “When he turned 17 in the early 1920s, he quit the circus to join

vaudeville and went to work with a partner named Amos Jacobs. Sometime later, his partner changed his name to Danny Thomas.”

Doug’s mother was raised by the same circus, though it was so large, they never actually met there. His maternal grandmother was also an entertainer and was busy touring with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, so she left Doug’s mother to be raised by the circus, where she followed in her mother’s footsteps.

Doug’s early years were unconventional. His parents moved at least once or twice a year when he was growing up, even after they retired from show business. Doug says, “Even after they retired, they could not get touring out of their system. Every time we moved, my Dad bought a new house, then he would give away the one we were living in. He even bought houses in faraway cities over the phone without ever seeing the place, and my mother never complained once. We left places that would eventually be worth a fortune. He once owned a whole square block in Palm Springs!”

It is no wonder that with a family like this, Douglas became a performer, earning money from entertaining people at a very tender age.

“My parents still dabbled and did the odd show even after officially retiring,” he says, “and I got started when I was three, collecting about $3.25 at each show from the coins people would throw, and that was my pay.”

While Doug was growing up, his parents used to host house parties and invite their show business and circus friends over. It was normal for celebrities like Orson Welles, Joey Bishop, Buddy Rich and the famous clown, Lou Jacobs, to join the festivities.

“We had tumblers, acrobats, circus freaks, sword swallowers, a lion tamer with a lion and, one time, one of only two trained blue face mandrill baboons in the world,” he says. “I was quite young and sitting down it was taller than me standing up. It teased me and I was terrified. So many crazy things happening!”

When he was growing up, Doug’s parents took him everywhere they went. He would dress up in a suit and get into nightclubs, shows and concerts all over North America with them. This gave him a unique perspective on entertainers.

“I was in nightclubs watching shows all the time,” he says. “I could see how nervous some performers were and even saw some have anxiety attacks, though we did not know what to call them then. It was always impressed upon me that children were to be seen and not heard, so I listened and became a professional eavesdropper. This is what provided me with the curiosity I needed to become a history buff.”

Despite being around all that talent, Douglas is mostly self-taught as a singer and musician. He was drawn to

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singing since his father had been a singer and taught himself to play a number of instruments, including the banjo and the tenor guitar. When he was 16, Doug was working at Knott’s Berry farm in California when he got a call informing him his father had bought a place in Vancouver and wanted Doug to join him.

“I was under contract to them, writing all their shows, but I really wanted to be with my parents. I went in to speak to Walter Knott, the place’s founder, and told him I could not buy this time back. He agreed and told me to go,” says Doug. “When I got to Vancouver, I bought a carnival and started making so much money, I could not give it up for several years.”

Doug settled into the local scene as a musician and singer. He was the leader of the seven-piece ragtime band that played at the Banjo Palace in Gastown for two years during the 1970s. He fronted the Heartache Razz Band, which opened for Tom Jones, Aretha Franklin, The Pointer Sisters, BB King, Bryan Adams, Earl Hynes and more along the way. He says, “I also did some stand-up comedy and, while doing that, I worked with George Carlin and Gallagher, people like that.”

When he was younger and living in Los Angeles, Doug once fired his piano player and badly needed to find a replacement that could make people laugh as well as he could

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play. Eventually, people pointed him in the direction of a much older player, named Paul Mousie Garner, who was working with Spike Jones.

“I was writing our shows and I wanted Mousie to finish one song and get up and do a pratfall. He told me he had been working with Spike for more than a decade and had never had to do a pratfall. When I persisted, he told me that when he worked with Red Skelton, he never had to do a pratfall. When I didn’t give up, he told me that when he was an original member of the Three Stooges, he never had to do a pratfall, so, I finally gave up. I had no idea about who I was dealing with.”

Today, Doug is an author, singer, musician, historian, teacher and living link to the history of entertainment in North America. He wrote one book about survival and markets it to gun clubs and outdoor enthusiasts. The other, Early Entertainment, is a history of all forms of entertainment in North

America from 1840-1940 and it will be in book stores soon.

Doug’s curiosity and vast store of knowledge places him in the perfect spot to preserve this rich history and he is happy to share what he knows during his shows. Not only does he entertain audiences with songs from the 1800s and up, he also teaches along the way.

“I absolutely love performing in front of an audience,” he says. “I believe I bring something special to the

stage when I perform. What I do is so unique, it allows me to follow any act in existence because what I do is of such high quality and it is so different from anything else the audience will SL ever see.”

To book Douglas Fraser for a show, visit his website: www.thegenuinejugband.com To order Early Entertainment, as an e-book or in paperback, visit amazon.com or amazon.ca

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Trends

Tummy Tuck, Anyone?

BY KATE ROBERTSON

Yelapa, Mexico

M

edical tourism. Do the words conjure visions of wealthy jetsetters lounging around a pool sipping margaritas while their nose job or breast enhancement incisions heal? Or of impoverished people being exploited for organ harvesting? The true definition of medical tourism is the travel of people to another country for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment, and despite any myths, this is a multi-billion (yes, billion) dollar industry and growing. And some say the growth potential is up to 35 per cent annually.

Most of us can understand why our US neighbours, with their historically higher medical costs and greater number of private medical services, are seeking alternative solutions at an estimated 1.2 million patients this year. But Canadians are also jumping on the medical tourism bandwagon with a reported 50,000 doing so in 2013. The exact number is hard to confirm as this statistic is not yet tracked.

While some Canadians are considering medical tourism to avoid waitlists for surgery such as hip and knee replacement or heart surgery, others are opting for procedures that aren’t yet legal in Canada, like liberation therapy treatment for multiple sclerosis or stem cell transplants, for dental surgery, which often isn’t fully covered by insurance plans, or for elective procedures like cosmetic surgery or fertility and reproductive procedures.

Perhaps it’s easier to understand the growth, when you learn the savings can be up to 90 per cent of the cost. According to Patients Beyond Borders, an independent expert

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SENIOR LIVING

resource of consumer information about international medical and health travel, a knee replacement cost in the US is $34,000, while the same surgery in Costa Rica is $9,500; implant-supported dentures $10,500 in the US, but only $4,200 in Mexico. And, in case you’re interested in some cosmetic surgery, a face lift in the US is roughly $12,500, while in Taiwan it would cost you only $5,600. While these are US figures, elective surgeries are not cheap in Canada either.

Some patients making the decision to travel out of country for surgery choose to arrange it on their own, researching their own destination and doctor. Josef Woodman, CEO and author of Patients Beyond Borders, recommends, among other things, that consumers refer to the Joint Commission International (JCI), an independent, non-profit organization that accredits hospitals worldwide to US standards of health care. The JCI website advises that “accreditation is the gold standard in global health care” and, to date, they have accredited 664 hospitals and clinical departments in more than 90 countries. And these numbers are growing quickly, as they expect a 20 per cent annual growth in the number of accredited organizations.

An increasing number of Canadian brokers and agents specialize in connecting you with an appropriate out of country facility and doctor. Glenn Sergius, owner of Inizio Health Solutions, and previously with Surgical Tourism Canada’s Vancouver office, represents one such company. “We provide a proven branded service easily and quickly arranging medical and travel items at lower cost, covering all the de-

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

tails, providing help when needed, proper insurances, and timing and small details that make for a successful journey.

Waiting is not an issue.”

Important considerations to keep in mind when choosing an agent, Sergius cautions, are: reputation and experience of the facilitator; ask for “real” testimonials and patient references; make sure you get medical complications insurance protection; make sure they contract with major internationally accredited hospitals; ask a lot of questions; and check the surgeon’s credentials and track record.

If you’re wondering about insurance coverage, Deloitte consulting firm reports, to date, it has been challenging for insurance companies to offer coverage for medical tourism procedures because the Canadian government has not supported it. However, your provincial medical coverage may help. For example, the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) has some coverage to help pay for elective medical care outside of Canada. There are certain stipulations, however, and you must obtain pre-approval. Your doctor must write to MSP to validate the medical necessity for a referral outside of Canada and provide information about what other treatment options have been explored elsewhere in BC and/or Canada.

If the treatment is for cancer and involves radiation or chemotherapy, MSP requires a recommendation from the BC Cancer Agency. Travel and accommodation costs would be at your own expense.

Some of the top medical tourism destinations are Thailand, Mexico, Singapore, India, Brazil, Turkey and Taiwan.

This list may be surprising, but as Surgius explains, “That other places in the world have equally sophisticated medical treatment available to Canadians is sometimes hard to get used to, and to think that there is better medical treatment elsewhere is, for a lot, at first unbelievable, then secondly amazing. For example, India and their hospitals specifically catering to the surgical tourism market remain very cost effective, fast, and the medical professionals are on leading edge of their specialities – that is why so much of the world goes there.”

Preferred procedures for the over 55s? Joint replacement surgeries are popular, as well as cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks and face lifts, says Sergius. “Most people in this age group are either early retired or close to retirement; have more disposable funds at hand; and are often willing to travel. Medical tourism is most attractive to this group as it satisfies two needs at once – people can get surgery, as well as a holiday combined in one trip.”

Clearly the medical arena is just one more area that is being influenced by globalization. If you are someone who likes being actively involved in your own wellness decisions, medical tourism may be for you. Just be prepared to do your SL homework first.

For more information, visit www.seniorlivingmag,com/articles/medical-tourism

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SENIOR LIVING

Where have all the knickknacks gone?

Y

our grandson is coming for a visit in a few days. You are excited but are also wondering how to make your home comfortable and safe for this child. If he is mobile, it’s time to childproof.

Why should we childproof our homes?

Toddlers are not only mobile, they are intensely curious. They want to touch, taste and manipulate everything they see.

And this is a good thing. We want them to satisfy their curiosity because that’s how they learn about the world around them. But we also want them to be safe.

Most homes are designed for adults.

There are plants, breakable knickknacks and family heirlooms. Some grandparents believe they need to teach their grandchildren not to touch these things. So, they don’t childproof their house.

I believe when your grandchild visits, the space should be childproofed.

Simply put, all the breakables away or up high for a while. Create a space where little explorers can move around at will and be safe. He learns your home is filled with opportunities for him to touch, to explore and to learn.

When his environment is filled with “No-Nos” he’ll stop his glorious learning and his curiosity will be stifled. He’s too young to distinguish between what he can and can’t touch and he’s not ready to learn how to handle precious valuables. That will come soon enough.

For now, we want him to know he’s safe when he visits his grandparents.

How to decide what to do?

Some things are easy. Anything poisonous, breakable, irreplaceable or tipWWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Grandparenting

BY KATHY LYNN

py and loose has to be put away, locked away, moved up or pinned down.

But we just don’t see everything.

The easiest way is to look at the world through the eyes of your toddler. Get down on your hands and knees and see the world from his perspective.

Remember, anything that moves, sparkles or dangles will interest your little scientist.

Then, give his parents permission to take a second look. They know what will attract their child and could cause a problem. If you welcome their input and encourage them to re-arrange your home to meet the child’s needs, they will be more relaxed when he comes to visit.

Living and dining room: • Take care of electrical. Cover electrical outlets, secure lamp cords and anchor floor lamps.

• Cover controls on TV, stereo and any other entertainment devices.

• Cushion sharp corners on coffee tables and hearths.

• Move all the breakables to high ground or put them away.

• Make sure bookshelves are stable and reorganize them so the shelves he can reach have old magazines he can handle.

• Move plants.

• Keep sliding glass doors closed and place decals at toddler eye level.

• Make sure windows are secure and shorten the cords on blinds.

• Enclose the rails on balconies or porches. You’d amazed at the tiny openings children can get through.

• In the dining room, push the chairs tight against the table to prevent climbing.

• Either fold tablecloth corners out of reach or simply don’t use one; and move all items on the tabletop to the centre of the table.

Create a space where little explorers can move around at will and be safe.

He learns your home is filled with opportunities for him to touch, to explore and to learn.

Kitchen and bath: • The bathroom is filled with safety issues for toddlers. Toddlers and puppies love to play in the toilet, it is water they can reach and it’s always there! The best answer is to keep the door closed, but be aware that some toddlers can open leverstyle door handles.

• All medicines, razors, mouthwash, toothpaste and cosmetics need to be out of reach. Keep the medicine cabinet latched.

• Place a non-skid mat in tub. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater to avoid burns.

• Empty the tub after use and never leave a child unattended in the tub. As a matter of fact, a toddler should never be unattended in a bathroom.

• In the kitchen, unplug small appliances and don’t let cords dangle.

• Store all cleaners and poisons in a latched cabinet.

• Turn pot handles to the back and cover stove controls.

• Keep plastic bags out of reach and look carefully for anything your toddler can choke on.

• Have a cupboard with plastic containers, wooden spoons and spatulas. This is theirs and they can happily play while you work.

• And don’t forget the garage, safety gates on stairs, or any dangers in the yard.

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Once you’ve spent the time childproofing, both you and your grandchild, as well as his parents, can relax and enjoy SL his explorations.

Kathy Lynn is a parenting expert, professional speaker and author. To learn more, visit www.parentingtoday.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

MAY 2015

37 39

Hobby

Vacation Pix that Pop!

BY JULIE H. FERGUSON

I

’m lying on my stomach balancing Bella, my Nikon, on a rock. The mist and sun creates too-bright a backdrop as I try to capture an image of a seal with my longest lens. First try comes out as a silhouette. “Change to spot metering,” says my instructor. “And focus on the eye. Stop breathing!”

Mist obscured the horizon and diffused the sunlight making it challenging to capture the seal with a long lens off the southern coast of the Isle of Arran.

Six hours into a photography workshop on the Isle of Arran in the Hebrides and I’m tiring. My husband and I are Jackie Newman’s (Arran in Focus) only students, and we’ve photographed sea and sky, golden glens, cloudscapes, portraits and wildlife.

“Okay, time for tea in my studio,” announces Jackie.

“We’ll take a look at your photos on my hi-definition screen and critique them.”

My heart lurches — we’ve all experienced the discovery that our photos aren’t as good they looked on the camera screen. I’ve been disappointed countless times by fuzzy focus, wonky horizons, and underexposed faces. What makes it worse is you often can’t go back and retake the shot.

I photograph with my phone, a point-and-shoot, and a big digital camera with interchangeable lenses (dSLR). All three can take photos that are good enough for print, which proves that mistakes are never the camera’s, but the photographer’s.

Tips that will improve your vacation photos: Jackie told us, “Give your camera a chance” • Learn the manual and travel with it.

• Set your camera to the highest quality image that it allows. E.g. JPG FINE • Shoot outside during the best light — before 10am and after 4pm in summer. At midday, shadows are deep and obscure detail. People squint when facing the sun, too, and sunlight causes unsightly shadows underneath noses and hat brims.

• Don’t rush; consider each shot.

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SENIOR LIVING

• Check where the light is shining from. If it’s behind your subjects, they’ll turn out underexposed (too dark) or silhouetted. Try moving them into bright shade or put yourself into a position that shifts the light to one side. If not possible, your camera can make allowances – see next section.

• Get off “Auto” and experiment with the “P” mode (program).

• Use people or objects to give scale to your landscapes, spaces and buildings. “Often landscapes just need some foreground,” Jackie reminds me. “Get low and focus about

Two shots taken almost from the same place show the value of patience. Next day, I climbed down to the beach at low tide (R) and got low for some foreground interest and lead lines.

one third into the scene.” Higher can work too.

• Shoot lots, using different angles and settings. Walk around, move in and out, kneel, lie down.

Basics that prevent common mistakes: Fuzzy focus is the most widespread error: • Many things cause this but the main reason is camera shake. As we hold phones and point-and-shoots at arm’s length, just breathing or pushing the shutter will cause shake. The solution is to wedge them on something. I also attach a pocket tripod to my point-and-shoot that gives me a firmer grip.

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• A big camera suffers shake because of weight and long lenses, although you can push it hard against your eyebrow when using the viewfinder. If unable to wedge it, I hold my arms tight to my chest; if I’m lower, I’ll secure an elbow on my knee. I may increase the shutter speed, or use a tripod. (More ideas: http://digital-photography-school.com/ how-to-avoid-camera-shake/), • Make sure you allow time for your camera to focus after you’ve pressed the shutter halfway down (beeps when done) or tap the phone screen over the focal point.

• When shooting images of people or wildlife, focus on the nearest eye.

Wonky horizons and buildings leaning to one side are the second most frequent mistake: if your camera screen or viewfinder doesn’t have a grid superimposed, use its vertical or horizontal sides to line up.

Returning to backlit subjects: they tend to be dark (underexposed), because the camera exposes for the brightness behind, especially with bright sky or sea. You have two options: • For phones and point-and-shoots, use fill flash – turn on your built-in flash and fire. Check if the image is too bright; if so, step back. This also works well in very poor light and for night portraits. It’s a lifesaver.

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In December, the light was dismal for this shot (top), but I wanted to keep the foliage behind the subject dark.

Fill flash (lower) using the built-in unit not only made the person stand out, but added catchlights in her eyes that animate any portrait. Note that she is not centred, so she has room to look to her right.

• If your camera allows spot metering, turn it on and focus on the object or tap the phone screen over the same spot.

The background may be washed out, but the subject will look better.

Using your built-in flash inside often results in weird shadows around people and objects. The best solution is to move your subject(s) well away from anything behind them,

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MAY 2015

39 41

especially windows. Then there is red eye, caused by the flash reflecting off the retina, and bright reflections on eye glasses. Take the shot from the side and ask them to remove glasses. But these problems are often unavoidable. If red eye mars a photo, it can be fixed using photo software – Picasa is free and easy, and can fix it.

Poor composition ruins many a good shot.

• The rule of thirds shows you where to place the point of interest in your

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image; many cameras provide the grid of two vertical and two horizontal lines on your screen or viewfinder. Where two intersect is the sweet spot for your subject.

• Lead lines draw a viewer to your focal point. Look for a fence, a curving lane, or an elephant’s trunk. There may be several lines or only one.

• Make sure there is space for your subject to look or move into within the frame.

The grid for the rule of thirds and the four intersections (sweet spots) aids in composition.

Finally, some wisdom: Don’t take a new camera on a major vacation without reading the manual and practising lots! I recall two safari participants who spent time figuring out their dSLRs on a game drive. By the time they had it sorted out, the tour was over.

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Without the hiker, we would have no idea of the scale of these rocks and arch, which lies near the upper right sweet spot; she stands in the right vertical as the focal point.

Memory cards: • Cards can corrupt image data if not formatted often. Every night, reformat the card in the camera after downloading your images. If you can’t, use a new card every day.

• Don’t leave full memory cards in your camera. One young friend of mine left two full 32GB cards in his that was stolen at the end of his trip. He lost every photo. Ouch!

Back up your images: •to a laptop or a tablet every night. If no Internet is available for web/cloud storage, then back them up onto a big USB drive and carry it on your person.

• Separate your backups when travelling – there is absolutely no value in having them in the same bag if it gets pinched. I even put my camera and laptop into different bags. Yes, I’m paranoid – but I’ve lost images this way!

I relished Jackie’s photography workshop on the second day of a month-long vacation. It proved an outstanding and fun way to improve my skills – the 300 shots I took exceeded my expectations. I learned to think each one through, employ new techniques, and instil good habits, ensuring my subsequent holiday images turned out well. I recommend a handson, customized workshop to anyone who wants to learn the basics or up your game, if you are an avid photographer. SL

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For more information, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/vacation-pix-pop Alpha Home Health Care Ltd ATTN: Don Swindell 1701 ISLAND HWY VICTORIA BC V9B1J1 CANADA

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Travel

Tyrolean Austria: Outdoor Splendour in Innsbruck

Mountain biking the dirt roads and trails in the Tyrolean Alps above Innsbruck is one of many popular outdoor activities.

I

BY BOB COOPER

travelled last summer to the Tyrolean Alps in western Austria to compete at the Masters World Mountain Running Championships against fellow sexagenarians. The race was a thrill, as it followed a twisting trail with literally breathtaking vistas at every switchback. But I flew home with equally vivid memories of strolling through Innsbruck, exploring the charming nearby villages of the Stubai Valley and hiking in the glacial mountains that huddle over the valley like overprotective parents.

As I stepped outside my inn each morning – first in the Igles district of Innsbruck, then in the village of Fulpmes – I saw pairs and groups of hikers fully equipped with hiking boots, poles and hats, chattering in German and ready to trek the trails that spiderweb skyward from each village. This is a year-round tradition; the footwear just changes from hiking boots to Nordic-ski boots after the first snowfall. When they aren’t hiking or Nordic skiing, locals and tourists snowshoe, toboggan, ski, mountain-bike or horseback-ride the trails. The outdoor-sports culture of Innsbruck, one of only three cities to host two Winter Olympic Games (1964 and 1976), is palpable.

On our day touring Innsbruck, a compact city of 140,000 44 42

SENIOR LIVING

that numbers 30,000 university students, my wife and I visited the 1564 Hapsburg Castle, roamed with free-range peacocks through the adjacent 61-hectare park, admired the city’s cathedral, inspected three of the city’s 15 museums, touched the Tomb of Maximilian (the imperial and religious leader of Europe who ruled from Innsbruck), and crossed a 12th-century bridge over the green-hued Inn River to the opera house, Imperial Palace and pedestrian-friendly Old Town. And then we watched a “summerbob” zip past on the Olympic bobsled/ luge/skeleton track (tourists can ride the track on a wheeled or real bobsled, depending on the season, at over 100km per hour) and took a funicular train and “cable cars” that lifted us far above Innsbruck. All Innsbruck museums, cable cars, trams, trains and buses are free with an Innsbruck Card (41 Euros for a two-day pass).

Buzzing us around town in her tiny car was our comparably petite tour guide, Mrs. Grassmayr, a dynamo of a woman who understandably ends every tour at the Grassmayr Bell Foundry and Museum, a 14th-generation family business that casts 250 church bells each year. Our noses know before she points it out that a beer-and-manure blend are used to give the bells a

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This travel article brought to you by the generous sponsorship of Accent Inns

clearer sound. Like most Innsbruck natives – especially because her Innsbruck roots go back 300 years – she is enthusiastic about the city: its history as a centre of European culture during the Hapsburg Dynasty; the mountains she’s hiked and skied since she was three; and, of course, her flock of children and grandchildren.

“I’ve been married for 52 years and my husband has never seen me sick,” she boasted. “It’s because I always hike and bike and ski. That’s what you do in Innsbruck. It keeps us healthy.”

A traditional Tyrolean band entertains diners at a hilltop café above Innsbruck.

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Our companion the next day in the Stubai region, Michael Grstrein, was younger and taller, but just as energetic. He first took us on an 8km hike in the foothills, a one-percent glimpse of the 800km of trails that lace the Stubai region. Public access is allowed in all forests, even on private land. The trails are a mix of dirt, gravel and grass trails, lined by thistles and berry bushes, through meadows and groves of long-needled larch trees, and past wildflowers and hay-drying huts. Cows wandered freely across the path, their clanging cowbells offering auditory amusement, but more practically, allowing their owners to easily locate them. A hawk reconnoitered overhead.

The trail ended at Serles Mountain, where a traditional Tyrolean band (trumpets, trombone, tuba, accordion and harp) entertained a jovial crowd of mountaintop café visitors. We feasted on nuddelsuppe and the national dessert, apple strudel.

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604-596-9670 Kootenay Hot Springs and Rails June 7-12, 2015. 6 Days.

These six days are about relaxing in the youthful invigorating Hot Springs of BC and taking in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, the Percell”s and the Kootenay Ranges. The new Kimberley underground mine tour is another highlight not to miss as well as the Canadian Museum of Rail in Cranbrook. $1165 pp dble occ. plus GST.

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Explore downtown Jasper, Banff and Calgary! A great Canadian experience! $2595 pp dble occ. plus GST.

Afterwards, the trip back down to the valley was far swifter as my wife rode the cable car and I channeled my inner kid on the Serlesbahnen alpine coaster, which swirled 2.8km down to the village of Mieders at up to 42km per hour.

We spent the afternoon at the southwestern end of the Stubai valley, where it narrows to a canyon and waterfalls plunge off the craggy Stubai Alps before reaching the Eisgratbahn cable car. It carried us to the Stubai Glacier at 2,900 metres, then to the Jochdohle summit at 3,150 metres. We learn that these mountains are higher than any in Germany, with more than 100 peaks in the Stubai alone that exceed 3,000 metres. By tradition, crosses are planted on many of these peaks. Switzerland is known for its extreme mountaineering, skiing and prices; Austria is its more modest neighbour in each category.

Locals and tourists alike take to the shopping district in downtown Innsbruck.

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We don’t bother with the restaurants at each cable-car stop – strudel takes time to digest – instead spending our time inside the Stubai Glacier Ice Grotto, a two-metre-wide tunnel that worms into the glacier. Outside the grotto, the glacier is covered by a massive fleece tarp – essentially a sweater to retard the melting rate when it’s above freezing. Inside the grotto, displays on ice walls inform us about glacial milk, glacial sand and glacial rivers.

Travelling back to our inn, we notice the Stubai villages, each radiating out from a steepled church and old farmhouses, which are preserved rather than being bulldozed in the name of progress. As a result, visitors will typically stroll past a cornfield or stables between their picturesque inns and village pubs and restaurants.

Most of the 760 runners who came to take part in the World Championships from 28 countries, like me, spent their days before and after the event soaking in the beauty of western Austria. We hadn’t come to break any records or go home with trophies. Stunning memories, photos, and perhaps an extra pound or two from too many strudels, were quite enough. SL For IF YOU GO information, visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/ articles/tyrolean-austria

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BY PAT NICHOL

F

Reconnecting with an Old Friend

orty five years ago, my husband and I bought our firstever house, a townhouse in Deep Cove in North Vancouver. A couple of years later, we added one daughter and then other. About that time, a new neighbour moved in next door. She had three rambunctious sons that were a wonderful energetic addition to the neighbourhood. Jennifer (nicknamed Jeff) was the perfect mom for these boys, matching their energy and enthusiasm for life. She and I became very good friends, and ended up doing a lot together. I was selling Tupperware, at the time, and I talked her into it, as well.

No matter how my day unfolded, I knew I could depend on my next door neighbour to have a smile and be willing to share her wonderful energy with me at the end of a day.

Our family relocated to Vancouver Island in 1980, and Jeff and I lost touch. Several weeks ago, however, I received an email from her. She had been enjoying my columns and realized that maybe I was her neighbour from all those years ago.

This past weekend, she came to the Island for the first time and, on her way back to the Mainland, we met for lunch at the

Photo: Frances Litman

COURAGEOUS & OUTRAGEOUS

Pier in Sidney. I was concerned I was not going to recognize her after this many years. I kept thinking I saw her in the many faces that walked through the door. I needn’t have worried. Jeff’s first words as she walked through the door echoed mine: “You haven’t changed a bit!”

Externally, the changes may have been small; internally, they have been enormous. Yet, we found, as we talked, that we still share a connection. I am a speaker and writer who celebrates living life to the fullest. Jeff has travelled to India many times to study and has used her education to help others live their best lives. Needless to say, there is much we still have to talk about.

Jeff, I’m so glad you picked up Senior Living, and I am looking forward to many more reconnections soon.

On another note, don’t forget it is Mother’s Day this month.

To all mothers – we love you and we honour you. Happy MothSL er’s Day! Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Reach her by email at mpatnichol@gmail.com

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MAY 2015

47 45

It’s Just That Easy!

Choosing Your Landscape

T

rees can serve numerous landscape functions including beautification, adding privacy, reducing traffic noise, providing shade and energy conservation. Spring is the best time of year to transplant trees and shrubs, while they are dormant.

Choosing the right tree should be a well thought-out decision. An inappropriate tree can be a constant maintenance problem or even a hazard.

What to consider when choosing trees

1. What purpose will this tree serve? Shade, privacy or design.

2. How big will it get? When planting a small tree, it’s often difficult to picture that, in 20 years, it could be shading your entire yard. Unfortunately, many trees are planted and later removed when the tree gets too big for its site.

3. No serious insect or disease problems. Does it have any particular insect, disease or other problem that may reduce its usefulness? Certain insects and diseases can be serious problems on some desirable species in some regions.

4. What is the average life expectancy of the tree? Some trees can live for hundreds of years. Others may live for only 20 or 30 years. Many short-lived trees tend to be smaller ornamental species. Short-lived species should not necessarily be ruled out when considering planting, since they can complement your existing landscape.

5. Leaf colour or flowers and fruits? Some species bloom for short periods in the spring or fall. Other may have foliage that is reddish adding color to your landscaping year round.

6. Attractiveness and appropriateness in your neighbourhood. Some species are over-planted, increasing the natural diversity provides habitat for wildlife and limits the opportunity for a single pest to destroy all plants.

7. Evergreen or deciduous? Evergreen trees will provide year-round cover and shade. They may also be more effective as a barrier for wind and noise. Deciduous trees will give you summer shade, but allow the winter sun to shine in. This may be a consideration for where to place the tree in your yard.

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SENIOR LIVING

Placement of Trees

Proper placement of trees is critical for their long-term survival and preventing any potential maintenance issues.

Invasive roots can lead to cracked driveways and planting large trees too close to your home can shorten your roof’s longevity, clog gutters with debris and damage the perimeter drains of your home.

Check with local authorities about restrictions or bylaws pertaining to the placement of trees. In many cases, they may be able to provide you with a list of recommended tree species.

Before planting your tree, consider the tree’s full maturity height. When the tree nears maturity, will it be too close to your house, driveway, other large trees or structures?

Consider your neighbours. An evergreen tree planted may block the winter sun from your next door neighbour.

Will it provide too much shade or overhang? Most plants require considerable amounts of sun; consider how the placement of trees will affect other plants. Will it obstruct driveways or sidewalks?

Call before you dig. Regardless of your landscaping project, always identify utility lines. To have your utilities marked, call your local utility company.

Once you have made the proper selection, you can now begin the task of planting a tree that can provide you with years of enjoyment. It’s Just That Easy!

SL For more home improvement information, to send Shell an email, or to watch Shell’s Ask Shell Coffee Breaks go to www.AskShell.com

Shell Busey’s HouseSmart Home Service Referral Network provides qualified trades (vetted by Shell) to homeowners. For more information, go to www.askshell.com and join Shell Busey’s HouseSmart Club. Phone: 604-542-2236.

WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Fit for the Adventure

BY EVE LEES

Lawn Bowling: A Sport for Any Age

L

awn bowling is popular among young and old in Australia and England. There, it’s appreciated as an ideal lifetime sport and social activity for all ages.

Here in Canada, lawn bowling is played mostly by those in their retirement years, although that’s slowly changing.

There’s a growing junior following, with players as young as eight years. Currently, there are several junior competitions held in BC. This sport can be enjoyed with both your children and your grandchildren!

Lawn bowling provides a moderate form of exercise. The constant crouching (to pick up and throw bowls) maintains strength and flexibility of the legs, back and arms. It challenges balance, sharpens hand-eye coordination, accuracy and powers of concentration. It also gets you outdoors into the fresh air. The activity burns about 211 calories per hour in a 155 lb person.

A game typically lasts two and a half hours. Players use a 3 lb bowl with a built-in bias. The bowl is rolled 80-100 feet on grass to its target. The playing green is about 21 to 41 metres (70 feet to 137 feet long) and you can walk or run it from end to end.

This competitive sport involves just as much strategy as golf or curling. The concentration required is like that of chess. It’s a great way to keep your mind sharp and memory intact at any age.

Older people play a more strategic game; younger players tend to use a more physically aggressive style. Lawn bowling allows you to play both ways. Although it is classified as a leisure sport, don’t let that deceive you. It’s not as easy as it looks. That’s what makes it so interesting and challenging.

Blind and partially-sighted people can also enjoy the sport.

Some clubs even offer programs for the physically handicapped. But these require artificial greens and wheelchairs need special wheels to avoid creating ruts in the turf.

Lawn bowling begins in the spring when the weather warms and the ground dries. The season ends late September. The only requirement for lawn bowling is heelless shoes that are smooth-soled to protect the greens. In certain competitions, players traditionally wear white or cream-coloured

clothing. However, there’s a growing trend by professional players to wear any colour.

Leisure sports, like lawn bowling, are an enjoyable way SL for anyone to put some fitness into their day.

To learn more about the sport, and to find a club in your area, visit Bowls BC website at www.bowlsbc.com Eve Lees was a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Counsellor for 30 years. Currently she is a Freelance Health Writer and Speaker. www.artnews-healthnews.com

55+

BC Games

North Vancouver 2015 Aug. 25th–29th

Over 3,500 BC Athletes expected to attend.

What’s happening in your region?

Get involved!

We’ll show you how.

www.55plusbcgames.org | For Life, Sport & Friends

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MAY 2015

47 49

Ballet Victoria Annie’s Rodeo And Other Works: “Little Sure Shot” Annie Oakley is the star attraction of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, entertaining royals like Queen Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm II. Copland’s riveting Rodeo score, a dash of rock ‘n’ roll, and the works of three international choreographers kick off a ballet stampede. For more info go to www.balletvictoria.ca See ad, page 50

Coming up

Chemainus Theatre Authored by the queen of mystery, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap comes to life April 24th – May 30th. Who will escape Monkswell Manor when a snowstorm traps curious guests, a police detective and a killer? Nestled in the seaside community of Chemainus, this vibrant and fully professional theatre features some of the finest performers in Canada. www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca See ad, page 48

No reason to sit home alone!

The Mousetrap

By Agatha Christie

Apr 24 - May 30

Lots of free to low cost social activities available. Join anytime.

Twist & Shout

Conceived & Written by Alex Mustakas Orchestrations & Vocal Arrangements by Robert Foster

Steps To Connect - begins May 6

Jun 12 - Aug 29

A chance to try a number of activities and meet new friends

Jeeves Intervenes

Croquet - starting May 20

Sep 11 - Oct 3

Social Cooking & Dinner

From the stories of P.G. Wodehouse Adapted by Margaret Raether

Majestic Park - no experience required!

Lots of fun and a yummy meal

Weekly/monthly Guided Walks

call about our

All levels welcome

Luxurious Theatre Getaways 1.800.565.7738 50 48

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For more details go to saanich.ca or call Julie Wallace 250-475-5408

| chemainustheatre.ca WWW.SENIORLIVINGMAG.COM

Presented by:

Mother’s Day Musical

Get West Vancouver Island Adventure Cruises Departing from Gold River, BC, the MV Uchuck III navigates Nootka Sound, Esperanza Inlet and Kyuquot Sound. Along the route, watch supplies and kayakers being off-loaded at remote villages, fish farms, logging camps and lodges. Marvel at the wildlife, seabirds and stunning remote coastal scenery.

To learn more about 1-, 2- and 3-day cruises, go to www. getwest.ca See ad, page 48 Theatre in the Country Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the stage brings the classic film to life. Theatre in the Country is pulling out all the stops to recreate the greatest moments of Caracatus Potts and his fantasmagorical machine. Kids, parents and grandparents alike will enjoy this enthralling tale and the great songs that come with it. More info at www.theatreinthecountry.com See ad, page 50

WNIEN28 ~ 3 PM O T E R SUN, JU

END PTRIZE DRAW

GRAN

Garden Tour May 9 & 10

Tickets

$30

10am - 4pm

Now in its 33rd year, this unique two-day, self-guided tour features private gardens and special musical performances by VCM students and faculty.

vcm.bc.ca/victoria-garden-tour 900 Johnson Street 250.386.5311 VCM Funding Partners: We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia

JUNE JAMBOREE

PANAMA CANAL CRUISE 20 Nights • Value: $8500 Our Biggest Ever Festival of Fun • Exclusively for Seniors!

CLAIM YOUR JUNE JAMBOREE PASSPORT AT VIEW ROYAL CASINO STARTING JUNE 1

Sneak Previe w: Experience HD Video Highlights of the Panama Cana l Cruise at View Royal Ca sino June 9 & 23 1 – 4 PM DISEMBARKATION IN VICTORIA BY SPECIAL REQUEST ne hlo vel a r T

At

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MAY 2015

49 51

Victoria Conservatory of Music This Mother’s Day weekend connect with the glory of Spring. Your two-day pass grants you exclusive passage to 10 hand-picked, enchanting private gardens in Victoria. Delight in the inspiration and joy of gardening while enjoying live music from VCM students and faculty. Have all your gardening questions answered by our on site Master Gardeners. See ad, page 49 View Royal Casino We Love Our Seniors: View Royal Casino is excited to partner with local businesses in their “June Jamboree” & Panama Cruise Giveaway with daily activities, prizes and fun exclusive to

Invest in the Future

by Preserving the Past The West Coast Railway Associaon is a charitable non profit society with the mandate to preserve Brish Columbia’s railway heritage. At our Heritage Park in Squamish, the Associaon showcases the second largest collecon of heritage railway rolling stock in Canada (over 90 pieces) including the world famous Royal Hudson, steam locomove. Your gi ensures the preservaon of this heritage.

West Coast Railway Associaon #2, 4298 Hasngs St. Burnaby, BC V5C 2K3 604-524-1011

www.wcra.org info@wcra.org

A tax receipt will be issued for all planned giving donaons.

Seniors (55+)! Claim your Passport & Contest Ballot at View Royal Casino and start collecting stamps from June 1-28 to win a once in a lifetime jungle cruise. See ad, page 49 West Coast Rail Tours Your expert in train travel and seniors excursions. Travel stress-free on our well-guided, scenic group tours to either majestic Haida Gwaii (10 days) or aboard the famous White Pass & Yukon Steam train (5 days). Each tour includes local home pick-up/drop-off, all transportation (including, rail, airfare and coach), accommodation, and most meals. See ad, page 50

Theatre in the Country Maple Ridge, BC

June 4 - 28

The classic film musical re-made for the stage!

GREAT RATES for Seniors & Groups Dinner Theatre or Theatre Only We offer group shuttle service!

theatreinthecountry.com 604-259-9737

LONDON Theatre Tour Oct 3 - 10, 2015 52 50

SENIOR LIVING

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CLASSIFIEDS

$45 for 20 words, $1.75/extra word 250-479-4705 | 1-877-479-4705 office@seniorlivingmag.com

COLLECTOR SEEKING vintage/collectable cameras, binoculars and microscopes. Nikon, Leica, Contax, Rolleiflex, Zeiss, Canon, etc. Mike 250-383-6456 or send an e-mail to: msymons6456@telus.net (Victoria)

WANTED: OLD POSTCARDS, old photographs, and pre-

NEW INNOVATIVE ASSISTED MOBILITY AID! Diverse

DEBI’S MOBILE HAIR SERVICES in the comfort of your home for everyone in your family. Serving the Victoria area. Please call Debi at 250-477-7505.

HB HARVEST PROFESSIONAL Horticulture Services.

Cert. Horticulturist with 20 years experience. Now accepting garden maintenance clients. Pruning, renovations and design service also available. 250-886-2717

CHANGING PLACES Downsizing and relocation special-

TPE Resistance Bands. Enquire 1-250-808-8769 or visit www.RubberCane.com & .ca A rubber aid Idea!

CUBA – ‘SPANISH STUDIES IN CUBA’ (HAVANA),

$2,500.00 CAD for 4 wks.

Hotel with breakfast and dinner, tuition fee. (Air fare not included).

250-478-0494. Send an email ssic@telus.net or visit us at http://spanishstudiesincuba.ca

WANTED: OLD STEREO/AUDIO EQUIPMENT. Any condi-

tion. Amplifiers, turntables, speakers, receivers etc. Honest/friendly. Victoria and V.I. Call Bob, 250 896 2268, northtowns26@gmail.com

HAVEN HOME CARE LTD. In home care providers. Help-

ing our clients lead dignified independent lifestyles. Greater Victoria.250-213-3684 www.havenhomecare.ca

DOGGY DAYCARE Covering Saanich Peninsula. Phone

250-656-7716. In home care. Keep them safe.

HEALTH CONCERNS NIGGLING YOU? Call Healing Spe-

cialist Marcia R.N.,B.Sc.N. 250-686-3081. Victoria Area.

Let Me Help You Be Well.

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M/F Call 250-715-6568.

HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE provides compassionate, personalized home care services customized to your needs in your own home. Our CAREGiversSM are extensively dementia-trained, bonded, insured, professional, and matched to clients’ preferences. For a complimentary care consultation in home or our office, call 250-382-6565. www.homeinstead.ca/victoriabc

FUN ADVENTURE BUS TOURS Staff Assisted Wheelchair Equipped

Serving individuals and groups up to 20

COASTAL COMPANION DBA COAST MEDIC

Call 250-833-0406 | info@coastalmedic.com

1950 stamped envelopes. Also buying old coins, medals and badges. Please call Michael 250-652-9412 or email fenian@shaw.ca

ists 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, John 778-628-0725 Vancouver for a free estimate www.victoriamoves.com

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can take the stress out of a move. Sorting, packing, unpacking, advising, and more. Free estimate call Cathy at 250-634-3207. BBB EXPERIENCED PRIVATE HOME CARE WORKER Available. Helping seniors stay in their own homes. References on request. Phone 250-286-9644. Victoria to Nanaimo.

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. 250-390-9266.

STELLAR’S INCOME TAX Personal & Small Business Taxes, Professional Service, Reasonable Rates, In Home & Remote service available Jan Kuprowsky & Janet Ward 778-402-4211 www.stellarstax.ca MICHELLE’S CHAIR MASSAGE Relaxation Massage

for individuals in the comfort of your own home. Serving Mid-Island. For appointments call 778-421-5074 103amd@gmail.com

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www.dfrent.org | dfr@dfrent.org 1-778-426-4800 OCTOBER 2009 51 MAY 2015 5339

North of 50

N

Dances with Flowers

W

henever the subject of flowers comes up in conversation, I’ve noticed people assume, because I have a British background, that I will know a thing or two about plants.

Not so, in my case. Fact is, I was raised in a hardscrabble Clydeside neighbourhood where dandelions were considered exotica and buttercups a treasure. The youth around our tenement, a seedy lot, were more into deflowering.

Imagine my surprise then, when I received a call from friends with a horticultural bent inviting me to join them on their group’s annual trek to Manning Park to view the alpine flowers. I was sure they wouldn’t want me along again after last year’s near fiasco, when it was clearly demonstrated that I don’t know a philodendron from a filibuster.

The group members are earnest and avid botanists, gardeners, floriculturists. They not only know the names of just about everything that grows, but are familiar with their Latin nomenclature. Labels like Leucanthemum

Reflections, Rejections, and Other Breakfast Foods

by Gipp Forster A collection of Gipp’s humorous and nostalgic columns. A wonderful read for yourself, and Reflections, ���������� a thoughtful gift and Other Breakfast Foods for friends and family members.

vulgare, and Menyanthes trifoliate, trip off their tongues as easily as the promises of a politician.

In spite of their somewhat intimidating understanding of things botanical, I have to acknowledge the petal pushers amazing tolerance of my many floral faux pas. Fewer than five of them choked or teared up when I indicated how surprised I was to learn that cinquefoil was a common woodland flower and a not some kind of foreign food wrap.

On one occasion, when the group was animatedly puzzling over some purple floweret and consulting their botanical bibles, I was prompted to offer an opinion: “I think I recognise this little chap,” I offered. “Seen it before somewhere.

Patagonia perhaps (I have never been to Patagonia, but it sounded more exotic than Squamish, or Boston Bar.) “Gladiola,” I said boldly.

There was a momentary silence followed by polite spluttering, some wrinkling of noses before someone spoke: “Ah, em, well, gladiola certainly is found in this area, but not in the alpine.

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A Collection of Published & Unpublished Writings

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Please allow two weeks for shipping.

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BY COLIN CAMPBELL

Lower down certainly – in the flower department of the supermarket in Hope, but nice try anyway.”

Semi-encouraged, I proceeded to draw attention to a coquettish little number nodding by the trailside. “Look at this folks: a lovely sprig of phlebitis.

Would any one like their picture taken with it?”

No one did, and as I bent to photograph the little plant, I heard the group stampeding away to peer at some more exotic species that had caught their eye.

From this point on, I resolved to keep my finds to myself and avoid possible embarrassment. On one occasion, when the group was conferring away in Latin or Serbo-Moldavian, I was tempted to call them over to view a delicate bouquet of quesadilla. I decided not to. It might have been euphoria, after all. As I’ve said, I’m no expert.

A little later, I again considered breaking into the proceedings to have them view a splendid display of nun’s hamstrings (Sinewus catholicus), but was hesitant to do so, lest I may have got it confused with European nosewart (Beakus bulbous), a non-native species introduced, as far as I recall, by seed-dropping birds, or British soccer hooligans.

Back at the parking lot, we shared our species lists for the day. There was surprise all around when I revealed mine: Ninety-two different flowers and plants. Nobody else came close.

SL It was a quiet trip home.

Colin Campbell, a retired teacher-librarian, is a published author and was a columnist for many years. He lives in Vancouver with his wife Carol.

Berwick House (Victoria)

Berwick Comox Valley (Comox)

Berwick Royal Oak (Victoria)

Berwick by the Sea (Campbell River)

Berwick on the Lake (Nanaimo)

Berwick on the Park (Kamloops)

Lower Mainland • Greater Victoria • Comingto soon to mid-Island Home Cooked Meals Delivered Your Door

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55

“Grandpa, I said PUPPY, not GUPPY!” Typical symptoms of early hearing loss include difficulty hearing softer voices, like those of women and children. If you’re ready to hear what you’ve been missing, Miracle-Ear can help.

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Hearing aids do not restore natural hearing. Individual experiences vary depending on severity of hearing loss, accuracy of evaluation, proper fit and ability to adapt to amplification. †Hearing screenings are always free. This is not a medical exam. © 2014 Miracle-Ear, Inc.

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