October 08, 2013

L A N G L E Y

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John Gordon in

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F E A T U R E

A R T I C L E S :

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Heart

JohnGordon in focus 5 ALSO INSIDE…

the WRITE stuff

Food & Friends

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Seniors Making Music

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Making the Transition to Assisted Living 21

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TREASURE HUNTER

Fall Fitness for Seniors 25 Travel: Guided Tours

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60

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13 THE UPS &

The 2013 Langley Living 60 Plus is published by the Langley Times, October 8, 2013.

Sales & Publishing Director: Sherri Martin Editor: Jim McGregor Creative Director: Millie McKinnon

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our fourth issue of Living 60+ we interview some very interesting seniors that show no signs of slowing down.

Even though they have retired from formal careers, some more than once, we will try to find out how they ‘take a licking and keep on ticking.’

Our feature interview with photographer John Gordon shows where your life can go when you leave it up to the universe to help make life’s decisions for you. Interviewing John was like being swept along on one of his many creative vacations.

We take a stroll through Napier’s Antique Village in Milner and learn why Ken Napier loves his life of buying and selling treasures and why his business still flourishes.

Doris Riedweg and Cora Goodyear are excellent examples of how to make the best of your life experiences and the two Langley authors open up about the secrets behind their novels.

Mel Kositsky takes us on a tour of the programs offered for seniors at the Langley Community Music School and tells us how to add a bit of culture to our daily lives.

Monique Tamminga tackles a problem we all try to turn away from, seniors homelessness. Her story takes us to the places in our community where the most vulnerable of our society are trying to survive.

Lilianne Fuller looks at the pros and cons of Viagra and tells the story with humor, tact and diplomacy. She also introduces us to the new Director of the Seniors Action Table, Linda Brummitt and action is the key word in this article.

Kristyl Clark takes some of the fear out of downsizing and making the move to assisted living and also shows us how to keep fit during the dark, dreary days of winter, and offers some timely travel tips for Snowbirds.

Grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy our stories. ~ Jim McGregor, Editor email: nine-1@shaw.ca Jim McGregor is a lifelong resident of Langley and former Fire Chief for Langley City. Jim is a published poet and author and a regular contributor to the Langley Times.

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IN

WITH An American Kestrel catches a grasshopper on the Boundary Bay dyke.

actually meant something to people, almost like a religion.

I travelled to the Isle of Wight Music Festival and experienced Jimi Hendrix and Emerson Lake and Palmer live and those songs and those artists were life changing.”

“My youth had been somewhat troubled , not at home but at school, and I had studied many ‘isms’ trying to find my way,” John elaborates. “ At age 12 I studied the teachings of Thomas Merton and as I got older, becoming a monk seemed to be the answer to all my problems.”

After I met my lady, we did a u-turn and hitchhiked across Europe and made enough money to fly back to her family in Victoriaville Quebec. “Later I realized that I had not actually been sidetracked because the spiritual insight is inside you and you can live that life without making a pilgrimage to Mecca or whatever. It is within you.”

After experiencing some of the history making era of Quebec politics and living with the poets , writers and musicians that were reshaping Quebec, John and his wife bought an Econoline van and headed for Vancouver.

“My first view of the Lower Mainland was a traffic jam at 232nd and Highway 1. We got caught up in traffic, saw Vancouver from the Upper Levels highway and ended up in the ferry line-up to Vancouver Island. I guess that’s where we were supposed to go.”

“We lived on Chesterman’s Beach at Long Beach with hippies for four months, eating fish and kelp and having the time of our lives. I didn’t consider myself a hippie but I am a spiritual person and it was a lifestyle that allowed me to experience ‘mindfulness’ and be aware of my surroundings.”

Go with the Flow and see what Develops In 1978 John Gordon was on a journey to India, travelling to a monastery to become a Buddhist monk. On his travels through Jerusalem he met a young lady from Quebec and Karma set him on another path.

John was born in Newport Wales and at seven years of age his family moved to the Wye Valley. “ The Wye Valley is stunningly beautiful and that is where I nurtured my love of nature and developed a love of scenery and awareness of my surroundings. Fishing and hiking and being outdoors all day during the summer was a great way to grow up.”

“Those were amazing days and I had a great love of music, music that

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John Gordon – a journey guided by Karma “When the winter came we moved to cabins at Miracle Beach and worked as a landscaper, fished and enjoyed the lifestyle but money was hard to come by. At Christmas I was laid off and I found myself at the Christmas Bureau in Courtney, a very humbling experience. We received everything we needed, turkey, toys for our new son, and a TV for the weekend.

That experience is one of the reasons I volunteer at the Langley Christmas Bureau each year.”

After Christmas John began working at the local youth hostel in Campbell River as a counsellor. That led to call from Human Resources asking John to work with addicted youth and after some education he began working in group homes with special needs clients.

“My job was to place them in homes, and help to make them self sufficient. It was rewarding work for a year or two but very stressful. I requested some time off to attend a Buddhist retreat but my request was denied so I moved on. I have always lived with the attitude that some-

thing will come and it did.”

Once again, Karma guided John’s journey. John and his family became the caretakers of the one hundred acre Hudson Farm in Campbell River. “We lived there as caretakers for $100.00 a month for ten years and became self sufficient, living off the land, growing vegetables and fruit and our own livestock. This freedom allowed me to pursue my budding career as a free lance photographer.”

“There was no shortage of photo subjects on the farm and in the surrounding area.

Animals being born, eagles, fish, the people, they all became subjects for my camera. One of my photos was of a ewe poking her head around a tree with her new lamb underneath her. I took the photo to the paper and they gave me three rolls of film and told me to take more pictures.

I did and then they asked for stories to go with the photos. I am not a writer and had to do hours of research. Then one day there was a whole page in the lo- I have made many trips to the Prairies especially southern Saskatchewan …CONTINUED

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John Gordon – ‘you have to stop the car and get out and take the photo; pher , eventually landing full time employment with the Langley Times. John’s photos often graced the front page and his empathy for people and his surroundings was evident in his work. Often the car accident or the fire were the background and the families and the victims were the focus of each eye grabbing shot.

John has produced two books of photography, Langley, Familiar Places :Familiar Scenes and, The Langleys. They have sold over six thousand copies and are a tribute to John’s theory that ‘you have to stop the car and get out and take the photo; it won’t ever be there again in the same light or the same setting.’

John spent more than twenty years with the Langley Times but hasn’t really retired. “I want people to know I am still an active photographer. I have

cal paper, a lady with her sheep and sheep dog and my story along with it. I received $100.00 which was astounding. You might get $10.00 for that today.”

“One day driving over the Campbellton Bridge I noticed a world record salmon hanging at a local dock. I turned around, snapped a photo and soon I was receiving calls from other paper for copies of the photo. Then I received a call from Diawa Canada fishing tackle asking for two hundred 5X7 copies of the photo. I became a commercial photographer over night , bought a book of Kodak photography, converted a closet into a dark room and, through trial and error produced the prints and made $400.00.”

John began entering photo contests and submitting photos to magazines and newspapers. “To date, I have had between 25,000 to 27,000 photos published in one form of another and I have been very pleased to have won many awards.”

In 1989, it became necessary for John and his family to move to the Lower mainland where he worked as a newspaper photogra-

over forty thousand visitors to my website and I still do weddings and commercial shoots as well as workshops and presentations of my travel photos.”

Over the years John has travelled to Britain every year and often springboards from there to other exotic destinations. “I have been to Venice, Spain, Morocco, Kenya ,India, Nepal, Katmandu Easter Island, Cambodia, Viet Nam and Thailand and I have stories and photos from each visit that I love

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to share with groups.”

John shares his portraits of the Dali Lama and stories about an all day photo shoot with Celine Dion. “A very private moment and a very public moment. One experience was very calming and one was very stressful.”

When asked about the future of photography, John starts with a deep sigh. “Technology has A pair of Osprey at Grant’s Narrows settle on a nest. The Osprey has made a comeback after been changing so quick- the banning of DDT and other harmful chemicals used in agriculture. ly, even since I started at Asked what advice he would give to new the Times. Every day millions of photos are prospective photographers, John says pracposted on line that people look at for three seconds and will never see again. There are tice is the key word. “As with any instrument so many unique inexpensive ways to pro- practice, practice, practice, 10,000 hours is a duce professional looking albums and I good start. Research photography sites and encourage families to preserve their family troll libraries for photo magazines. Find a images so there are not lost for future gen- mentor, get out of the car and don’t be afraid erations. We should leave a photographic to take risks.’

What’s next for John Gordon? “I don’t belegacy”

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lieve in looking back. I don’t want to be eighty and have remorse over something I didn’t do. My parents are still alive at eightyfive and eighty-six. My Dad went back to law school and was called to the bar at eighty.

My Mom retired as a nurse and still works with elder care. There is too much to do.

There is no need to sit around with no one to talk to.”

“I have a business plan that allows me to work and travel. I have developed my hobby for bird watching and bird photography which lets me travel and meet new people.

Over twenty-three species of birds come to my back yard during the year and I can spend time there. I do yoga to keep in shape and I go with the flow accepting what life brings me.”

“But here I am at sixty years old still pinching myself that I am actually being paid to take pictures.”

You can follow John on his blog: thecanadianwarbler.blogspot.ca or his website: johngordonphotography.com. ~ Jim McGregor

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Treasure HUNTER Napier’s Country Antiques - Where the Past Becomes Present It’s As a young boy he would race home after school and ride his bike to Cloverdale in Surrey to volunteer in a second hand store. The seeds were planted in this young man and they grew into the dream of him opening his own store one day.

a dreary fall afternoon and a steady stream of people come in and out of Napier’s Country Antiques in Milner. Ken Napier, the owner, acknowledges each one with a smile and tells them, “I’ll be with you in a minute.”He sells a lamp to one customer, buys a box of items from another, fills out a rental agreement for a truck load of items going to the movie industry, and takes some time to chat with an old friend that just came in out of the rain to visit.

“As of October 1st. we will have been in the same location for forty-six years,” says Ken proudly.

“We have a lot of repeat customers who know where we are and of course we have lots of people who find us for the first time.”

Ken developed an interest in second hand stores when he was fourteen. “ I used to ride my bike from Milner to Cloverdale on Saturdays to help out in a second hand store. I was always interested in how the business worked. My Mother and I used to go to museums and I learned to appreciate the history of old things.”

Ken started his business in a barn on his Dad’s poultry farm on 64th. Ave in Milner just after graduation. As the business grew he needed more space. “ I built a bolt-together building on Dad’s farm that I eventually took apart and sold later. My Dad told me that if I was serious about having my own business that I should own my own place. He told me never to pay a landlord a dime so I built this building myself and added on to it over the years as the need arose.”

As the truck from the movie company pulls away, Ken talks about how the local filming has added to his business. “There are a lot of TV shows and movies being made in the Langley area.

They come here and rent old furniture or other items for sets. It’s a large part of my revenue now and they are good people to deal with. They’ve come to know I’ll have what they need and more.”

Recently, Napier’s Country Antiques was featured on the reality show, Canadian Pickers. “That was great exposure,” Ken smiles. “We had a lot of fun and they bought some old items. We had a

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lot of business come in after that. Those shows have been good for the second business as a lot of people have gained a new interest in old things. Over 85% of the items I buy now are from professional pickers. They go out and do the leg work and bring in some unique items.”

Up until 2001, Ken used to bring in one container a month full of furniture from England.

“I always had one on the way so I had to hustle to sell retail or wholesale furniture to other stores or auctions. Eventually we began to have too much stock so now we just have stuff shipped in from Saskatoon once in awhile.”

Often the overseas shipments had some surprises.” I was taking the drawers out of a dresser that I was going to throw out and found an envelope with six hundred British pounds taped to the bottom. Then on top of that a customer that had been interested came back and bought the dresser for $100.00.”

On another occasion, a relative of the family that owned Craigdarroch House wanted to sell me some old furniture. It was ugly but I bought it and had it here for a long time.

Twenty years later I found out it was Chippendale and sold it for $20,000.00. But that

doesn’t happen all the time.”

Today, Ken sells mostly smaller items. “We sell a lot of wooden boxes and crates, Industrial furniture, gas pumps, metal signs and lots of memorabilia. The market is changing all the time and it’s a challenge to find stuff.

I have some good sources that I rely on and I still combine holiday trips with buying and searching. We get calls all the time from people downsizing and I’ll go look at what they have.”

“There are not as many second hand stores as there used to be. All of the small towns across the province used to have that run down, seedy section where people could get cheap rent. But as those towns tear the old buildings down, the overhead to rent in the new buildings too steep to make a second hand store pay.”

A prospective customer comes in and tells Ken he is look for a brass pole for a foot rail for his bar. Ken says he doesn’t have one but directs him to a local scrap dealer who will.

“Our motto is, ‘If we don’t have it, we can find it for you.’ “ says Ken. I don’t specialize in any one item, but some dealers do and it’s good

■ OCTOBER 2013 ■ Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES

business if you can make a referral.”

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the store inventory but Ken and his staff know where everything is. Not only are the shelves and walls a living history museum, the lot outside is a picker’s dream with larger items like a yellow submarine and a British double decker bus.

“The bus was something I had looked for a long time and couldn’t find one for sale. It always seems when you quit looking for something, it comes along. The day my dad died I got a call from an RV dealer in Abbotsford he had found one for sale. It’s going to be part of our promotion for the business.”

As Ken approaches the age when most people look forward to retirement, he plans to continue working in the business he loves.

“I don’t work forty hour weeks anymore, but as long as the Lord tells me I can walk and lift, you’ll find me here in the store.”

Napier’s Country Antiques is located at 6743216th St. in the historic village of Milner.

Check out their web site at: www.napiersantiques.com ~ Jim McGregor

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GUIDED TOURS

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fter a lifetime dreaming about retirement and travel, the time has finally come to satisfy that sense of wanderlust. There’s just one problem. In your golden age, you may have lost your significant other, close companion or desire to venture out and explore the world outside of your comfort zone.

If that’s the case, you can take comfort in knowing you are in good company –especially right here in Langley.

This past July, the Langley Senior Resource Society (LSRS) launched The Tag-Along Travel Club –a group that promotes affordable travel with the security of a group and friends to share the fun.

While the centre, located at 20605 51 B Ave., already offers a variety of day and overnight trips – with

around 60 members and destinations that range from downtown dining at five-star restaurants and theatre productions to Circle Farm Tours – the longer seven-to-14-day trips, coordinated by a local tour company, are a new extension of the group.

Already on the travel itinerary for November is a four-day, three night winter celebration in Whistler in, followed by an eco tour of tropical Costa Rica in January. And while it isn’t set in stone, the group has their sights set on a repositioning cruise next spring – maybe to the Panama Canal.

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say on where they should venture to next.

“There’s no obligation and nothing to lose,” said Christine Dembicki, the director of recreation at LSRS. “If you have a travel destination in mind – come out and maybe you’ll meet others who would like to share your dream. We’ll have registered travel professionals to make arrangements for us and to provide the information needed about destina- Members of the travel club on a daytrip to Mayne Island. tions, travel and medical insurance.”

Yvette King joined the Langley Seniors Resource Centre two years ago and has been on a variety of day and overnight trips to date.

The 78-year-old Langley widow said she likely wouldn’t have experienced her travel adventures had it not been for the club.

“I’ve always liked to travel but stopped when my husband passed away,” she said. “It’s been interesting getting to know new people – we have a lot of fun!”

Even for those who can’t manage the larger trips due to financial or health reasons, Dembicki says the day destinations are affordable and can satisfy that travel craving.

“I know not everyone can’t necessarily do the big trips but there are a lot of great day trips like a weekend in Victoria, going downtown to a five -star restaurant or going to a casino.”

Whether you travel solo or with a group, safety should always be your top priority – especially for seniors.

Dixie Keyser, the manager of Maritime Travel in Langley at 6233 200 St., suggests the following considerations for senior travels who are looking for a safe and hassle-free trip.

• Remember to pack any medications or prescriptions in your carry-on and not your suitcase in case of emergency or luggage misplacement. Medications should be packed in their original containers for security reasons.

• Keep a listing of your recent medical history with your, including medications you currently take, prescriptions or otherwise, as well as allergies you suffer from, and any medical conditions you have. Carry the listing in your wallet, and leave a copy with your emergency contact person at home.

• Secure your home before you leave and arrange for a friend or neighbour to pick up mail and check in periodically. Have someone cut your lawn (or shovel your driveway) and care for your property. Set automatic times on the lights and television.

• When flying, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and limit your intake of caffeine and alcoholic beverages.

• To avoid circulatory problems on a place or coach, walk up the aisle every hour or so. Periodically, stretch your legs, arms, shoulders and neck.

For more information about the Tag-Along Travel Club, call the Langley Senior Resource Society at 604-530-3020 or email info@lsrs.ca ~ Kristyl Clark

■ OCTOBER 2013 ■ Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES

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The Food & Friends Program launched as a pilot project in February 2010 and is extremely popular. For the very affordable price of $5.00 seniors and older adults can meet for a nutritious meal, enjoy some good company and listen to an informative speaker. This program was started by David and Alicia Stark. David researched and found funding through the Fraser Health Authorities’ Healthy Living Grant and Alicia as a community recreation director had access to seniors. It was a great combination and they began with an event at the Walnut Grove Community Centre. Since then the Food & Friends Program has branched out to include eight other locations. Food & Friends programs can be found in Aldergrove, Langley City, Murrayville, Fort Langley and Brookswood.

Today the program is funded by United Way and administered by Langley Meals on Wheels. Most of the lunches are held in local restaurants but some are at local recreation centres. New coordinator Shannon Woykim has plans to grow this fabulous community resource. She came on board in December after completing the Langley Senior’s Resource Centre’s volunteer training module. She was a ‘stay-at- home’ mom for a number of years. “This job was completely unexpected; I am used to working with young children and this is at the other end of the age spectrum. I love it” she said.

The backbone of every non-profit organization are the volunteers who support the programs. Shannon knows this and she is very appreciative of the number and type of volunteers who help the program

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grow and flourish. “Volunteers are key to making this program succeed and we appreciate the passion and dedication they bring to the senior community,” she enthused.

The program offers a broad range of food types and flavours. From a soup and sandwich at a recreation centre to Chinese food to sushi, there is something for everyone. Realizing that some seniors may shy away from sushi, Shannon explains that the dishes at Yanaki Sushi contain all cooked ingredients.” There are California rolls and lots of dishes which use cooked ingredients and cucumbers. The presentation is lovely and the food is delicious.” To encourage people to try it, the program has been offering a 2 for 1 deal. Bring a friend and both of you will eat for $5.00.

Future plans for the program will be an outreach to more of the ethnic community and low income seniors. For example some of the members of the Karen refugees are aging. To connect with them a group were invited to a luncheon at the Langley Community Services Society in April. Because many of the older Karen people do not have English language skills Shannon is looking for someone who can translate for the guest speaker. If you can help out or know someone call Shannon at 604-533-1679. In addition she is also looking into finding ways to help subsidize low income seniors who cannot afford the $5.00 fee

COMFORT & STYLE

but who would benefit from the program.

When people gather for a meal, there are bound to be some offshoots. The Food & Friends Program is no exception. Resulting from the earlier meetings of Food & Friends a new idea sprung up and the Reminiscing, Recipes and Remedies book project was born. Food and sociability are commonalities and this project has contributions by some of Langley’s well known personalities. Seniors interviewed other seniors about their lives using food as a focal point.

The book included stories, old remedies and recipes and is still available through Langley Meals on Wheels.

There is no restriction on attendance. You can visit every location each day but make sure you make a reservation. Some of the locations do have waiting lists.

For some of the more popular locations, there is a 3 month wait to get in. But don’t let that deter you the wait is definitely worth it!

This is a great community program with an apt slogan of “Building Community one meal at a time”. If you are a senior 55+ you are invited to enjoy a social luncheon that includes interesting guests speakers, great food and good company. You won’t be disappointed.

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She said seniors are very active in all functions of the school as volunteers, concert attendees, teachers and board members. “We are always looking for dedicated board members. We need their experience and governance abilities,” she added.

“They provide great oversight of our programs and are not really forced to do many other activities.”

Some well known and long-time community volunteers who are involved in the music school include Gloria Doubleday, Bays Blackhall and founding instructor Ian Hampton, a world renowned cello artist, who is still going strong, teaching and performing at age 80. Pat Staplin is the current board president.

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spent 11 years coming to concerts and volunteering at events, and is usually found helping in the kitchen. She says it is an easy walk from her downtown apartment to the school and “I love the music”.

Recent programs are being geared to attracting more seniors, including the Sunday afternoon concerts, which start at 3 p.m. Magnusson says they have become wonderful “family outings” as they are especially easy for seniors to attend. Attendees also get to talk to the performers after the concert.

Just under way is a new program called Musical Encounters, which is specifically for adults and seniors on Wednesday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. The six-week pilot project encompasses both music history and appreciation focusing on romantic music, says instructor Marcel Bergmann. “But don’t worry, there are no exams. It is just fun,” he added.

Musical Encounters features a variety of romantic music that encompasses a whole century. Attendees learn about the lives and work of the great romantic composers such as Chopin, Liszt, Verdi and Tchaikovsky. Listening to excerpts from the great symphonies, operas, songs and instrumental music, participants explore the quintessential elements of the romantic spirit, with its frequent shifts from euphoria and passion to deeply felt melancholy and

sadness. Tuition for the six-week series is $70.

Bergmann says “music is a lifetime experience” so it is no wonder that the school is seeing an increase in adult participation. “A lot of people come back to music later in life. It is their passion.”

He is especially excited about the new directions at LCMS, which will see a number of world class artists performing on the stage at the Rose Gellert Hall. “It is great to work at a school where you can develop new programs,” he added. “You can structure things around the needs of people but at the same time upholding a standard and quality education.”

Bergmann said while traditional learning remains important, he looks forward to continually integrating music and technology. Right now LCMS is seeing an increase in computer lab activity and instruction and all age groups are involved, not just the children. He said there are wonderful electronic possibilities in training, creating harmonies and just experimenting in a new field.

It is all part of a continuing effort by the school to to develop new programs and respond to the interests of the community. This year the school has added Suzuki harp, an adult music appreciation course, popular music theory, and lessons for people inter-

Healthy Vision

ested in working with music software like Garage Band and Ableton.

One of the highlights of the Concert Café Classico Series for the 2013-14 season will be the October concert at Rose Gellert Hall. Billed as Canada’s top string quartet, the New Orford Quartet will be performing on Saturday, October 19.at 7:30 p.m. The school is located at 4899 207th Street.

The Quartet features Jonathan Crow, violin; Andrew Wan, violin; Eric Nowlin, viola and Brian Manker, cello. The members are all principal players in the Montreal and Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In the short time since its creation in 2009, the quartet has seen astonishing success, giving annual concerts at the Orford Arts Centre for national CBC broadcast and receiving critical acclaim, including two Opus Awards for Concert of the Year.

There are a number of other great concerts scheduled for the fall and winter. The school will also be gearing up for a very busy 2014 as Langley hosts the BC Seniors Games next summer. You can find more information about the school, its programs and concerts at www.langleymusic.com or call 604-534-2848. ~ Mel Kositsky

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ocial service groups and outreach workers have been noticing a “troubling” increase in the number of seniors living on the streets.

“This sudden increase is sad and troublesome and is an issue that is coming up at round table discussions across the province,” said Janet Burden, executive director of Stepping Stone Community Services.

With an aging population, the issue needs to be made a priority, she said.

“These people who end up homeless aren’t who we typically see. These can be men and women who owned homes, who were working members of society.

There are heart-wrenching stories out there,” she said.

Take *Thelma for example, said Burden. She is in her 70s and is going to have to move from her family home to low-cost housing after a tragic, but common, turn of events.

Thelma’s husband was the breadwinner who took care of all the bills and banking. He fell ill and had to be moved to a care facility. Most of his pension goes to pay for his care and that has left her having to figure out a whole new world of bills she is unable to pay in a home she owes money on. Without family support, Thelma feels very alone.

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She is resistant to change, said Burden.

Langley outreach worker Fraser Holland, who helps Langley’s homeless with housing and finding social services and health supports, said that over the past 12 months he has been working with more and more of an aging population. “Forty per cent of clients are over 50 and older,� said Holland. More than 30 Langley residents who live on the streets are over the age of 60.

The oldest homeless person in Langley is around 83, he said.

The elderly man refuses to allow Holland to secure housing for him.

For those who are entrenched, many with addiction and mental health issues, it can be difficult to find them housing, Holland said. “Substance abuse and living on the streets can be very harsh on the body over time,� said Holland.

Many of those entrenched homeless who are older than 65 — they are losing mobility and are in and out of hospital, discharged back onto the streets. “But they are very difficult to find housing for and often they are resistant to (change),� he said.

But he is also seeing new faces on the streets. “It used to be that when an elderly person came

to us, we would prioritize helping him or her because the situation was so unique. But now, it is common for us to see seniors, because of their particular vulnerable situation,� said Holland.

The Gateway of Hope homeless shelter has also seen an increase in the number of seniors looking for a bed and a warm meal.

Community meals offered by several churches in Langley are seeing more and more seniors at risk. “As we age, our support network of friends and family shrinks as people pass on and the friends who are around are unable to help anymore because they are getting older, too,� Holland said.

For those on provincial disability funding, it changes over to federal payments once a person turns 65, he said. But if people don’t know to apply for the federal funds — the cheques don’t arrive.

Finding housing for older people who have both physical and mental health issues is a real challenge. “With age, we are opening up the onion to find the layers and it becomes more complicated,� said Holland. “I often get people telling me, “I don’t want to live around people.� But shared accommodations is all they can afford.�

He is dealing with elderly hoarders who need to move from their homes into care facilities but are resistant to going anywhere without all their stuff.

Mobility issues also become part of the equation.

Some can’t take the stairs where there isn’t an elevator. But a lot of older people don’t like to live on the first floor for safety reasons. The provincial government is going to have to address specialized housing for seniors in these situations, he said.

Pride also keeps many from asking for help. “Those people we aren’t reaching,� worries Holland. “Asking for help is embarrassing for some.�

People on the edge of poverty may choose not to eat that week in order to pay for their medications, Holland points out.

Seniors Services Society, based out of New Westminster has outreach workers who respond to more than 200 urgent requests for information relating to a senior at risk of becoming homeless.

Of those 200, 20 are living on the streets, said SSS. They have 20 rental units to help emergency cases. If you are in need or know someone in need contact 604-520-6621 for outreach services. *Thelma is not her real name

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Home is where the heart is

– a behind the scenes look at assisted living

T

he decision to sell one’s home, downsize their belongings and move into a retirement community isn’t always an easy one to make.

For many, the transition can seem daunting – especially if they are accustomed to living independently in their own homes.

All too often, seniors make the life-changing decision during a medical-crisis situation, says Lynne Haber, an activity coordinator at Harrison Retirement Congregate Living in Langley at 20899 Douglas Crescent.

“It’s not such an easy transition if you wait until you are rushed into the process –I always recommend not putting your house up for sale right away – just give it 90 days and see if it’s the right fit.”

Haber, who has witnessed numerous happy transitions into an assisted living situation over the years – including her own mother – says seniors often thrive in their new surroundings both physically and mentally.

“My mother was living off grilled cheese sandwiches until she moved into assisted living – everyone comes here for different reasons – sometimes it’s just not wanting to cook or clean anymore and for others it’s about being around other people. You could be living at your child’s property, but the isolation is not a good thing for the mind.”

One of the most difficult aspects of downsizing is figuring out what to do with all the ‘stuff ’ that’s been accumulated over the years.

From furniture and art to stacks of photo albums and keepsakes – parting with possessions is no easy feat, says Haber.

“It’s tough because of the sentiment attached to our belongings, but the truth is most of our kids just don’t want our stuff – you can always put it in storage though if you have a hard time parting with it.”

Assisted living isn’t just about having your cooking, cleaning and shopping taken care of – although it’s certainly a persuasive advantage – it’s also about having easy access to flexible, optional support services so residents may ‘age in place.

Ed and Shirley Tempest decided to sell their Langley condo and move into a suite at the Harrison Landing Retirement Congregate Living six years ago when Shirley, 83, began experiencing health problems.

Ed and Shirley Tempest decided to sell their Langley condo and move into a suite at the Harrison Landing Retirement Congregate Living six years ago when Shirley, 83, began experiencing health problems.

“I was not quite well at the time and wanted us to find a place that felt like home in case something was to happen to me and Ed would be on his own,” said Shirley, who suffers from polymyalgia rheumatica, vertigo and macular degeneration.

While their health concerns have now reversed with Ed’s well being a top concern – the 88-year-old suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and congestive heart failure– the couple are thriving in their new abode.

“It just makes life so much easier now,” said Shirley matter-of-factly. “You don’t have to worry about cooking or cleaning anymore.”

“But you can still have your independence,” chimed Ed. Residents have the option to kick up their heels and relax or they can become as busy as they wish – Shirley falls into the latter category.

“I’m the type of person who just can’t sit still– there are always jobs you can find for yourself,” said the retired registered nurse who has started a light classical music program at the residence, helps out in the library and chooses the movies for ‘movie night.’”

Ed’s health prevents him from participating as much as he’d like, but he’s certainly no wall flower.

■ OCTOBER 2013 ■ Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES

“I like to still call bingo during the Bingo games and go on the different outings.”

When the two feel like staying in and having their privacy, their spacious one-bedroom/ one-den suite with a full-size kitchen is provides all the comforts of home.

And when they are in the mood to be social, there’s plenty of options to keep them occupied.

On most days, the Tempests enjoy breakfast in their suite followed by some exercise. After lunch they’ll take part in Harrison Landing’s day trips – this past week it was off to Krause Berry Farms for coffee and a slice of pie.

For dinner, there’s always freshly prepared fare in the dining area – which eliminates the ‘what should we make for dinner question?’ or need to grocery shop.

If they’re still in the mood to mix and mingle, they’ll take part in a movie night, game or whatever activity is planned for that particular evening.

“Yesterday we all sat around the round table and discuss the articles we had all clipped out and brought – it’s a great way to stimulate your brain.”

The notion of an ‘old age home,’ may still conjure up the image of a cold, sterile, hospital-like facility, but assisted living is nothing like it used to be, notes Ed. “People say I’m not moving into an institution with all those old people, but it’s not what you think... we’re very happy here!” ~ Kristyl Clark Lıvıng

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SPOTLIGHT ON

Lynda Brummitt After an absence of six years, a familiar face is back in Langley. In March, Lynda Brummitt took up the post of Coordinator for the Langley Seniors Community Action Table (LSCAT). She follows Carla Robin who left the position earlier this year. Lynda is very familiar with both Langley and the ten other Senior’s Community Action Tables throughout BC. In addition to being Langley’s coordinator she is the co-coordinator of the Delta Seniors Community Action Table as well. Her colleague is Kay Dennison, formerly of the Langley Hospice Society. brings a wealth of Poverty Response Committee and the experience and ex- Richmond Homelessness Coalition. pertise to her new position. She started “It’s great to be back in Langley,” she her career in Langley in 1977 as a Proba- said “After having worked in other comtion Officer and family court counselor. munities I am very appreciative of what In 1987 she began working in various Langley has to offer. Langley is very capacities for Langley Family Services, progressive and in the 1970’s the social now Langley Community Services. She service agencies had the forethought was the Executive Director for ten years. build what is available now. A prime In 2005 she left to become a consultant example is the Langley Seniors Reto a number of community groups source Centre which is home to many and non-profit organizations. She has programs. It is a bee hive of activity and worked with a literacy project in Del- resources for seniors. When Doctor ta and is involved with the Richmond Beverly Pitman the Seniors Analyst for

Lynda

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the United way visited, her comment was that the Langley Seniors Resource Centre is one of the most vibrant and active centres she has seen,” said Brummitt.

LSCAT is made up of a group of community members, service organizations and agencies who come together to facilitate senior’s mobilization, leadership and involvement in the community. The members of the table meet to share information, build partnerships and create a collective voice for seniors in Langley.

Using some of the components of the “age-friendly cities” checklist developed by the World Health Organization LSCAT is moving forward and working on the issues of transportation, housing and accessing social services.

Community involvement is an important component on the checklist and seniors need to avoid becoming isolated. Brummitt uses a ‘Community FYI’ to make seniors aware of volunteer opportunities available to them. She sends out information about workshops and educational seminars that are coming up.

Brummitt wants to help seniors develop a new mind set. As people age, there are certain necessary changes and adjustments to everyday

life. “We want to demonstrate to seniors that changes in their lives don’t indicate the beginning of the end; we want to show them that really, it is a new beginning with new challenges and opportunities” she said.

LSCAT meetings are not just for people over 65. Members of the public who are semi retired or pre-retired are welcome to attend. “If you are planning for a new future, this is a great place to start”, said Brummitt.

LSCAT is sponsored by the Township of Langley, City of Langley, Fraser Health Authority, Langley Seniors Resource Society, Langley Meals on Wheels and the United Way. “We couldn’t do this program without our community sponsors and especially the United Way. It isn’t simply the financial support, the United Way provides many of the reports and research papers needed to empower each community action table. They compile these reports containing information that we need when working on the issues important to seniors. We don’t have the resources to do it ourselves, so the United Way is a tremendous help.” she said.

One of Brummitt’s goals is to make new people in the community aware of the LSCAT. “Peo-

We know numbers.

ple sometimes pick Langley to retire but don’t know what their new community has to offer.

Also some people have had to move into assisted living facilities in a community that is new to them. They need to know what is available and attending a LSCAT meeting is a great place to start.” she said.

The monthly meetings are held at the Langley Seniors Resource Centre on the third Wednesday of the month and the meetings start 10:30 a.m. They last two hours and have a guest speaker followed by a business meeting with discussion around the table with updates on identified projects. September’s speaker was Bev Bakka, the Fraser Health Liaison for the Patients as partners/patients Voices Network.

In the capable hands of Lynda Brummitt LSCAT will continue to work on the issues important to Langley Seniors. Later this fall there will be a housing summit organized by CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons).

Brummitt is anticipating a very busy fall and winter season. To get involved or to attend a meeting contact Lynda Brummitt through Meals on Wheels at 604-534-1679. ~ by Lilianne Fuller

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Senior’s days

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Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ OCTOBER 2013 ■

Fall in Love with Fitness this Autumn

While an active lifestyle is key to good health and longevity, it can be difficult for seniors to maintain during the cold, dark winter months.

Come October, many tuck away their walking shoes and water bottle in exchange for a sedentary lifestyle until Spring.

With popular fitness classes for seniors becoming increasingly popular like indoor walking groups, yoga and senior-oriented aerobics and aquasize classes, there’s no excuse to put your health and waistline at jeopardy.

In addition to the numerous health benefits, such as boosting one’s energy and strength, group exercise classes provide a means of social interaction and refuge from the elements –they can also be a lot of fun.

Despite the downpour of rain on a September Friday morning, 16 seniors ranging in age from 60 to 89 poured into the Timms Recreation Centre in Langley for Seniorcize.

The low intensity, non-impact workout focuses on building strength and flexibility using light weights and non-impact cardio moves.

Amongst the bunch was 70-year-old Marnie Bangay – a Langley retiree who joined the class nine years ago one balmy summer and hasn’t looked back.

“I came because of the air conditioning, “ she joked.

“It was just too hot to exercise at home or outside.”

Participants like Bangay, who have experienced di-

minished flexibility/mobility over the years are able to work out at their own pace in a safe and comfortable environment.

“It took a few years but I’m physically stronger at home now because of this class – I wouldn’t ever give this up!”

The trick is to stick with it to really see and feel the results, Bengay notes.

“A lot of seniors join and do not stick with it – I always tell people to give it at least three times before quitting. I promise you’ll get better and stronger.”

Despite a recent shoulder injury and a diagnosis of advanced osteoporosis, Gus Kilpatrick has been a regular in the class for the past 15 years.

For the Langley retiree, it’s an opportunity to get out and mingle with her peers in a supportive and friendly environment.

“I’ve been coming now for about 15 years,” she said matter-of-factly.

“It’s really broadened my horizons in terms of getting to know people – I always look forward to it!”

And not only is group exercise good for physical health and companionship, it’s also good for the mind and memory says fitness instructor Sue O’Hara, who has been teaching Seniorcize at the centre for over 21 years.

“It’s not just about staying active, exercise really helps stimulate the mind – it makes you think a bit about

each move.”

For some seniors, the drop-in fitness class is a stepping stone to regular fitness programs, notes O ‘Hara.

“I’ve had participants from this class who have built up enough strength and confidence to attend my regular aerobics class - it can happen!”

With any fitness program, O’ Hara emphasizes the importance of getting approval from one’s physician before starting.

“You should always get the okay first.”

The Timms Community Centre is located at 20702 Eastleigh Cresc. For more information on Seniorcize, call 604-541-2940.

Being active for at least 150 minutes per week can help reduce the risk of: • Chronic disease (such as high blood pressure and heart disease) and, • Premature death And also help to: • Maintain functional independence • Maintain mobility • Improve fitness • Improve or maintain body weight • Maintain bone health and, • Maintain mental health and feel better.

- courtesy of the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines 65 +

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604.533.4231 | 304-20771 Langley Bypass Hwy#10 (across from La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery) ■ OCTOBER 2013 ■ Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES

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VIAGRA, THE UPS AND DOWNS Everything you wanted to know about Viagra but were afraid to ask.

Best

friends can talk about anything. But even for the best of friends, some topics can be pretty uncomfortable. So when my good friend Mary took me aside at a cocktail party to ask if I had any little blue pills in my purse, I was floored! I stammered and stuttered and mumbled something about Topher not having any problems there! She burst out laughing and then said, “I wasn’t talking about those little blue pills.

Do you have any Aleve®; my arthritis is really acting up tonight!”

have shown that 40 per cent of men in their late sixties suffer from this problem. Prior to the availability of Viagra, the onset of this problem signaled the end of an active and vibrant sex life for married couples. When Viagra was launched in 1998 it changed everything in the bedroom (and for some, outside), becoming one of the fastest-selling new drugs. Coined the ‘love drug,’ the pace of early sales was almost unprecedented.

Viagra was being prescribed at the breathtaking rate of at least 10,000 prescriptions a day.

But my curiosity was piqued and I wondered: Have erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra made a difference in a senior’s love life? Have they enabled older men to remain sexually active? Do these drugs make it possible for loving couples to enjoy a physical relationship into their 90s? Is there a form of Viagra for post-menopausal women?

Viagra was used to treat Pulmonary Heart Disease when doctors made the startling discovery that it was an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. This condition occurs when not enough blood, flows to the penis preventing an erection. Now used extensively in cases of ED, Viagra relaxes the blood vessels so that more blood can flow to the penis allowing a man to attain and maintain an erection.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can occur at any age but as a man gets older his impairment can increase. Statistics

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Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ OCTOBER 2013 ■

The television ads are cheeky and show couples in their 50s and 60s figuring out ways to get their teenage kids out of the house.

Another commercial is the one with the couple arriving late at the opera. They make their apologies because their seats are in the centre of the row. They sit down just as the show is ending, and their smug smiles indicate that they were late for a really good reason.

But I have never seen a commercial featuring an older couple smiling just as smugly. In real life, however, there are people in their 80s who want to use these drugs to maintain their sexual relationship. There are no age limits for Viagra users. Local family physician Dr. Shannon Dutchyn said that she has prescribed the drug to a man who is almost 90.

Viagra was the first drug to be approved to treat ED. It starts to work in 30 to 60 minutes and can be effective for up to four hours, plenty of time to be spontaneous with your partner. In 2003, a new drug appeared on the horizon called Levitra that allowed the same window of opportunity as Viagra. Shortly after that, along came Cialis.

Cialis was nicknamed ‘the weekend pill’ because a man could take it up to 36 hours prior to attempting sexual intercourse. Another drug called Staxyn has been developed and it works in the same way by increasing blood flow to the penis.

Side effects will differ with each drug. Men have reported experiencing episodes of vision problems that ranged from a slight blurring to seeing the world in shades of blue. The most common side effects are headaches and nasal congestion.

“If the side effects are intolerable, the drug should be stopped,” said Dr. Dutchyn. “But most patients can try a different brand if they experience an unpleasant side effect.”

A very rare side effect is priapism. This is a painful condition in which a man experiences an erection lasting more than four hours without sexual stimulation. If this happens to you, it is a medical emergency, so get to a doctor fast to avoid permanent damage.

A fallacy is that simply taking erectile dysfunction drugs will cause a man to become aroused but this is not true. There must be sexual stimulation in order for the drug to take effect. Another fallacy is that if a woman were to take a drug similar to Viagra, it would turn her into a nymphomaniac. Some online studies with sketchy evidence point to this fact, but Dr. Dutchyn is quick to dispel this myth.

“There is no evidence that Viagra does anything for women. In fact the evidence for testosterone in women with libido dysfunction is not very good either. There are no FDA-approved prescription drugs for women to assist with sexual function.

The reason for this is multi-factorial. Basically, women are more complicated than men,” she said.

These drugs are allowing older couples to enjoy a satisfying physical relationship but the bad news is that this drug is not for everyone. If a man has had a heart attack or stroke, it will prohibit him from taking Viagra or other erectile dysfunction drugs. If he is taking medication containing nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, he should not use Viagra, because taken together they can lower the blood pressure. In a case like this, the next person he sees after popping the little blue pill could be Saint Peter.

It is true that for older diabetic men, the risk could outweigh the reward. Some men with decreased kidney and liver function can take the drug as long as they are being monitored by their doctor.

“Renal function can be watched with a simple blood test.” said Dr. Dutchyn.

If you’ve decided that you want to try a drug for erectile dysfunction, your first stop should be the family doctor to get a check up and a prescription. Viagra and the other drugs are available on the internet but buyer beware: Some of the drugs available online have not been checked for safety and efficacy and could do you harm.

The good news is that you have been approved to use a ED drug. You’ve filled your prescription and it’s show time. What’s next? Viagra’s website offers some tips and advice for achieving the best results. They encourage you to set the mood by turning the lights down low and enjoying a candlelight dinner. Your results may be better if you keep your alcohol consumption to a minimum and eat smart. A large heavy meal laden with fat will interfere with the drug’s efficacy and you’ll feel sluggish. The last thing you want when things are going well is to pass gas and spoil the mood. Also they suggest that if at first you don’t succeed, to keep on trying. You will get there.

Mary is 82 and has been married Well at to Fred for almost 50 years, so I $10.00 a pill, assumed that when she asked it’s only going to me about having some little blue cost us $30.00 pills in my purse she meant Viagra. a year!

We had a good laugh and she told me to get my mind out of the gutter.

After all, girlfriends can talk about almost anything but she told me that her sex life was none of my business. Since Mary and Fred were a little late in arriving at the party, I asked her what had delayed them.

Mary just smiled, perhaps a bit too smugly.

by Lilianne Fuller

■ MAY 2013 ■ Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES

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the WRITE STUFF How often have you been in conversation, discussing your past career or life experiences and your listener has responded, “You should write a book!” Many of us have a veritable storehouse of stories buried inside based on our job history, the people we have met or the journeys we have taken.

But, how many of have the courage to take the risk of logging those stories down and putting them out there for everyone to see?

I sat down with two of Langley’s authors, Doris Riedweg and Cora Goodyear, to get their stories about how they were inspired to write, and what motivated them to put pen to paper.

Doris Riedweg is the author of

three novels, Fury of the Wind, Still Waters and the sequel, Water in the Wilderness. Her articles and short stories have appeared in several major newspapers, as well as Canadian literary magazines. Two of her short stories have won awards in writing contests.

Doris is the editor and co-author of The Hospital on the Hill, a history of Langley Memorial Hospital published in 1997, and the current President of the Langley Writer’s Guild.

Doris was born n Wapella, Saskatchewan. “I grew up on a farm and my husband John and I have always had animals around so small towns and farms always come into my stories somewhere.” I believe my writing career began

~ Jim McGregor

when I was in Grade 2 in a one room Saskatchewan schoolhouse. An Inspector from the District chose one of my stories to read out loud to the class and I thought that was pretty special.”

“For awhile I was a stringer for the Province newspaper and I enjoyed that and then I embarked on my nursing career. I was a registered nurse for twenty-five years finishing my career at Langley Memorial Hospital. All the people I met over the years and all the experiences became inspiration for my novels. I could say that my story, Still Waters is close to being autobiographical.”

In 1990, Doris felt the urge to start writing again. “But the words weren’t coming. I would sit at the typewriter and nothing happened.

Then I submitted a story about the birth of my great niece and submitted to the Vancouver Sun. It was accepted and when they phoned me to tell me they were publishing a second column, I was thrilled. I got off the phone and

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Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ OCTOBER 2013 ■

my husband brought me a button to sew back on his shirt. I said, ‘I don’t do buttons, I’m a writer now!”

Doris was selected to be part of a fourteen person team to edit the book The Hospital on the Hill, A history of the Langley Memorial Hospital. “It was a long process but so rewarding. When I was handed one of the first copies, I held it my chest and cried. It was like I had given birth. That’s the passion that writing gives to me.”

“I am never sure where the ideas come from.

My first book, the first line of the story popped into my head while I was in the farm yard. I write when my housework is done, in the evening or on a quiet afternoon. You just have to be open for the

ideas to come and I like the quiet times.

Asked what advice she would give to aspiring writers, Doris says to join a writer’s group, take a course or classes, go to a retreat. “I have learned so much through the Langley Writer’s Guild. Don’t ever think you are too old or two experienced to learn new things, and once you are hot, keep writing, don’t stop.”

Doris has a fourth novel in production.” I just love to put words on paper and I see no reason to stop now.”

Doris’ books are available at Coles, Porters Store, and through her publisher Libros Libertad at www.libroslibertad.ca. Check out Doris’ website at: www.dorisriedweg.com

Cora Goodyear

is the author of the novel, Prison To Freedom. She is the current treasurer of the Langley Writer’s Guild and has written many articles, short stories and poems. Prison To Freedom, while a fictional story is based on her interaction with over a thousand prisoners, male and female in her twenty-one years working within the Federal and Provincial prison system.

Cora was born in Yarmouth N.S and worked as a Lab Technologist in various Canadian hospitals for thirty-one years, finishing her career in Langley.

“When I left the hospital, I was too young to stop working so began volunteering in the prison system as a Coordinator of Programming. I was tasked with finding housing and matching prisoners with the community upon release as well as working programs ‘in house.’ I worked mostly as a volunteer but I did have six years full time employment as well. I had an endless supply of characters and stories based on my experiences.”

Just before I retired for the second time, I began my novel. Once I was retired I could set my own schedule. It took over two years to write the story and get the book out there. I am a morning writer, that is the freshest time of the day for me and that seems to be when my ideas come and when I get the most done. When I get comfortable in my living room, quiet, by myself, that’s when I like to write.”

Cora has never been the type of person to just sit around. “I don’t knit and I like to keep to keep busy. I joined the Langley Writer’s Guild and have been a member for three years. I have learned so much about the structure of writing and storytelling, I wish I had joined before I wrote my novel,

Carter’s First Catch Photo: Michelle Hebein

DERBY REACH In the deep, mighty Fraser River Morning sturgeon, salmon were waking Calling fishermen of all ages Who knew they awaited the taking.

Three “experienced” fishermen sat Feeling the warmth of the rising sun Their lines were cast, poles propped beside them As they awaited a day of fun.

it would have been much easier with the knowledge I have now. We meet three times a month in the Langley City Library and we make some great connections.”

Cora recalls the excitement of receiving her first box of books. “You can’t express the feeling you get, the sense of accomplishment. The man that delivered them bought my first book and I was thrilled!”

“The challenge for self-published authors is marketing,” Cora agrees. You have to do a lot of leg work to get your book into the stores, the craft fairs, the libraries.”

Cora’s inspiration comes from her surroundings, the places she goes and her day to day personal experiences. “My advice to those who want to write is just write, every day write something, don’t edit, just write and let it flow. You never know where it will take you.”

Cora’s book is available at Creative Bookworm, Chapters, Porters Tea House, and The LMH gift shop and as well as the House of James and the UFV library in Abbotsford.

■ OCTOBER 2013 ■ Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES

A young man walked up alongside them They thoughtfully observed him - a bit As he tied weights and hooks on his line After going through his fishing kit.

He cut herring to put on his hook Then walked over to the water’s edge He cast his line like a work of art Which drifted, caught, maybe? on a ledge.

Watching the youth, they knew how to help The solution they soon shared - was such Heavier weights were necessary To keep his line from drifting too much.

They also told him of two ledges Beneath the water, close to the shore Many hooks had been caught and lines lost Not extending that distance, and more.

The young man packed up, trip not in vain He would return on another day More knowledgeable, with finer gear Better prepared, his next try might pay.

He could then fish with the best of them And surely, when his next trip was done He would pridefully pack up his gear And take along with him, “THE BIG ONE”.

~ Cora Goodyear

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the best of

mcgregor says Hold On to Your Small Town Values

D

iscussions about the good old days tend to lead down some old McGregor streets and roads that we haven’t traveled for awhile. Each Says turn in the conversation brings JIM MCGREGOR about a memory or reminder of a simpler time, or at least a time that seemed simpler to kids with few worries on our minds. Recently, one of those conversation turns led down Fraser Highway and stopped on a long ago Thursday afternoon at Gibsons’ Auctions barns in downtown Langley Prairie.

In 1938 Joe Gibson opened his auction business at the ‘far west end of town’ which we know now as the north east corner of 203rd and Fraser Highway in Langley City. Thursday afternoon in Langley was auction day and it was a fine day indeed for the local merchants and often provided some great entertainment as well.

Many of the farmers or market vendors that came to town for the auction took advantage of the trip to buy oil or fuel from the bulk plants, dry goods from the Five to Dollar or stock up on groceries at the Overwaitea store. Anything else they needed they could get from Buckerfields.

I used to look forward to going with Dad to the sale. My Grandpa had been an auctioneer and Dad had traveled all over Saskatchewan clerking for him. I’m sure most days Dad just went to listen to the song of the auctioneers and didn’t really go to buy anything. Some days he would buy a butter box full of stuff for fifty cents and see what treasures he got when we got home.

If he only knew what people are paying just for the old butter boxes now.

I loved the old farm trucks with the cattle stakes or the pickups full of milk cans and hay bales. It wasn’t uncommon to see a farmer pull up in the family sedan, open the back door and unload a goat, a pig or a calf. It was also common place to see a farmer in rubber boots and suspenders chasing a pig or a calf down Fraser Highway, rope in hand and yelling at the top of his voice. The steer running through town on the City’s 50th birthday was an amazing coincidence.

Kids could climb into pens and pet the animals and there were no hand washing stations anywhere. There were no signs about swine flu, bird flu or mad cow disease. We came home smelling like a farm with dirty hands and fingernails and nobody got sick.

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Today, a turkey sneezes and they shut down the industry. I can’t help but think maybe the new regulations are developed by the same scientists that told us last year that the sock-eye were gone.

The food was great. You could order a hamburger and watch the lady make the patties right in front of you and slap them on the grille where the onions were already sizzling. I don’t recall seeing any Provincial Food Safe Certificates there and I never heard of any botulism or E-coli outbreaks.

There was common trust among people that they were buying quality goods and healthy animals and that the food being prepared for the public was no different than they would prepare for their own families.

An afternoon at the auction was an important day for the farmer, an event for the City kids, and a reminder to all where our roots were.

Sharing small town memories with a friend recently, he was telling me about his first visit to Langley many years ago. He was looking to move somewhere in the lower mainland. When he was asked exactly what he was looking for he thought for a minute and replied, “I want some place with trees.” ‘Go to Langley’ he was told so he took a drive out and liked what he saw.

“I went to a store and picked up the local paper to get an idea of prices and what was available. The front page picture and story was about a woman who had achieved a perfect crib hand. I read that and decided that if a perfect crib hand was front page news in this town, that’s where I wanted to live.” He raised his family here, schooled them here and volunteers here still.

I’m sure if I gave all of you a few minutes right now, you would recall your home town and the reasons you settled there and the charm that kept you there. My parents often shared memories about late night sleigh rides home from school when the bells on the horses accented the snap of the Northern lights overhead. Simple memories of small towns stay with us.

I wonder which of today’s headlines will attract new folks. Certainly the trees are disappearing so not many new people will come here looking for that. Will it be a story about the new transit bus connections that will whisk them from their cubicle homes to their cubicle offices? Will it be a story about new developments being built and the investment opportunities they might bring?

Once the trees disappear, that simple charm isn’t far behind.

Gather your small town memories and hold them close to your heart. At least that’s what McGregor says.

Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES ■ OCTOBER 2013 ■

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■ OCTOBER 2013 ■ Published by THE LANGLEY TIMES

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