and watch
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Braden from Advantage Athletic Therapy talks about the importance of a proper diagnosis.
BIG’S BACKYARD “It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” ~ Albert Einstein “How long should you try? Until.” ~ Jim Rohn “You just can’t beat the person who won’t give up.” ~ Babe Ruth Backyard Ultras are an invention of Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell. The original one was held on his property and is named after his dog. Laz is the genius behind various races. In September, I took part in his Race for the Ages. The concept of a Backyard is as follows: Runners complete a 4.167 mile course every hour on the hour until only one runner is left. Why 4.167 miles? The reason is that continuing such a regimen will result in exactly 100 miles in 24 hours. At the individual world championships, held in Tennessee every second year, the athletes run two routes, a trail loop during the daytime and an out-and-back road route at night. Competitors are eliminated when they are unable to finish a loop within the hour or if they refuse to continue. This year, the last man standing was a 47-yearold American, Harvey Lewis. He is a very experienced, accomplished ultrarunner and also a full-time high school teacher. During the race, he kept going for 108 consecutive hours, so completing 450 miles over the 4.5 days, the greatest distance ever covered in the Backyard format. How was this possible? You must cover a little over 4 miles every hour, too much to walk but no more than an easy jog. However, at the same time, you have to manage every other
component of your moment-to-moment life, and you have to try to do it longer than anyone else. Most of the runners were initially completing their laps in less than 50 minutes. That gave them a good 10 minutes or so to retreat to their tents, put their feet up, eat and hydrate as necessary, close their eyes to rest or try to wind down for a quick nap, and then get back to the starting corral for the beginning of the next lap. If you are not in the corral when the starting whistle is blown at the beginning of each hour, your race is finished. Also, from time to time, you have to fit in bathroom breaks, foot or other body care issues, any shoe rotations and clothing changes as the temperature or other weather conditions fluctuate. You will not have an opportunity to get any sustained sleep until your race is over. I can relate to repeating this routine for a while, but of the 75 starters, 8 made it past 4 days or 400 miles. Harvey Lewis did it for 4.5 days until there were no others standing. He had stated his plan clearly, “I don’t care what distance anyone else goes. I’m just going to commit to going further.” His basic strategy was to stay as relaxed as possible while consuming calories on a consistent basis. He eats only vegan foods and rarely gets sick to his stomach. During the event, his diet consisted of soups, noodles, dried fruit, muffins and cookies. He said that his crew was good at anticipating what he would want at the end of each loop. Daytime temperatures were about 80 degrees F. Lewis had the advantage of vast experience in
hot weather races, having twice won the 135-mile Badwater Ultra that begins in Death Valley in July and having completed it 12 times. At the end of each hot loop at the Backyard, he dumped cold water on his head and laid down on ice. All the competitors who survived until the later stages of the race had to surmount challenges that included sleep deprivation, adequate food intake, trashed legs, back problems, heat, cold, friction irritations, falling, motivational lows and emotional breakdowns. It all seems amazing to me. Yet, Harvey said after the race that he felt he could have kept going if he had needed to, at least through another night. When he became the last man standing, he was still moving smoothly and didn’t have any injuries. His stomach was fine, and he was fueling well. When it was over, he was able to talk coherently to Laz, the race director, and to well-wishers for close to an hour while resting in a chair. What are our limits? We now know that it is possible for a fulltime teacher to run for beyond 4 days with almost no sleep. Lewis stated that he believes there are powers that exist to push us past what seems reasonable. Can we talk ourselves into doing “just one more” for longer than we imagine? I believe we can. I have done it on a much smaller scale innumerable times. In doing so, we have to learn to monitor our bodies astutely in order to avoid injuries or more permanent damage. It is surprisingly easy to get caught up in a cycle of over-training or inefficiency. I recall that in my first multi-day race, 3 Days at the Fair in 2015, I ran and walked for the first 43 hours without stopping. Finally, when I realized I was literally moving sideways, I took a sleep break. Gary Cantrell, known as Laz, the Big’s Backyard race director, is this year’s inductee into the Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. In a written response to his selection, Laz wrote in part, “…it has
been my privilege to share in the successes, the failures and the redemptions…and most of all to see your faces when you have pushed to your limits and beyond; to see the faces of those who have reached down deep inside and found something they did not know was there; who did what they did not think possible.”
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A true friend leaves paw prints on your heart. ~ George Eliot
Born and raised in Haldimand-Norfolk, Bobbi Ann has a deep-rooted pride for our area & its people. Constituency Office 50B Gilbertson Drive, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4L8 Tel: 519-428-0446 | Fax: 519-428-0835 Mailing: P.O. Box 91, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4K8 BABrady-CO@ola.org
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Blade Salon is your go-to destination for exceptional haircare and esthetic services in Port Dover and surrounding area. Our master stylists and estheticians are here for all your hair and esthetic needs. Our team is committed to providing a relaxing experience that is personalized for each individual client. 355 Main St, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N0 www.bladesalon.ca | 519-583-2021
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Thompson Waters Funeral Home staff have been serving Port Dover and area families with compassion and dignity since 1904. First by the Thompson family and since 1978 by the Waters family.
THOMPSON WATERS FUNERAL HOME Cremation & Burial ~ 102 First Avenue, Port Dover (519) 583-1530
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Back in the early 2000s, when Monica and I were running our day camps for the NYCA, we always made provisions for children who did not have the funds to come to camp. We wanted them to have an opportunity to just be a kid and leave all of life's problems behind for the day. Some of the stories I could share were heartwrenching. We always did our best to make sure every child had the best day possible at camp. Their smiles, by the end of the day, always made us feel like we had made their life just a little better. We were always learning about different situations that kids were living with, everything from attention deficit to autism to trauma to FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder). For me, every day was a positive learning experience. Their situations reminded me just how important it was as a community to do our part and help. It was during this time I recognized how devastating FASD could be for a child. This is a lifetime brain injury that will not get better. We needed to provide extra reminders and cues during the day and extra support for activities. They were trying their best to fit in and desperately wanted to play with all the kids. You could see that it was frustrating for them to find their rhythm within themselves.
mental health issues. In addition, many individuals experiencing homelessness selfreport a diagnosis of FASD. Now, let's all stop and think for a moment. Folks with FASD did not do this to themselves. It is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and body and is a result of being exposed to alcohol before birth. I thought about those kids from all those years ago during a recent trip to the city. They would be adults now. How are they doing? Is someone supporting them? Are they safe? Are they living on the streets? I wanted to explain all this first to drive home a point that has been bothering me lately. I recently saw on social media folks taking shots at homeless folks as nothing more than drug addicts, alcoholics, and people we should not be wasting taxpayers' money on. Folks, before you make assumptions about someone else's life, take the time to educate yourself and understand what someone else is struggling with. Each and every one of us could have our world wiped out in a day, not knowing where to turn or what to do and be out on the street.
Both Monica and I were worried for their future, not sure what life might hold for them later. Remember, this was back around 2004.
The definition by Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (2017) defines homelessness as "the situation of an individual, family or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it."
According to HomelessHub.ca, 1.4 million Canadians live with FASD. It goes on to state that 90% of individuals with FASD struggle with
The following definition is used by Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy. "Homelessness is a unique experience for
everyone, taking on many forms and affecting disparate groups differently. It's not a choice and its cause should not be perceived strictly as an issue of housing instability, but rather as a multifaceted issue that may intersect with a variety of structural, societal, and individual problems including unemployment, discrimination, domestic violence, mental health and addiction."
A camp moment frozen in time was taking a young person with FASD out in the two-seater kayak and watching as he let his hands run along the surface of the water. His smile was wide and bright as the sensory feel of the water provided him with a level of calm and peacefulness that brought a sparkle to his eyes.
In the case of someone with FASD, they have not had an opportunity since the day they were born!
Dave Scott
Being born with a brain injury through no fault of their own, it is our responsibility as a community to help in any way possible to provide the best life forward for anyone with FASD.
FOLKS, stop judging a book by its cover… be curious, open the book and learn!
FAITH HILL SCAN TO WATCH Randy and I kick off the 2024 Boomer Music Experience, looking at the life of an incredible crossover artist whose roots started in country and, with the power of her music, easily made huge inroads in pop charts. "Breathe" was perhaps her biggest hit! Yes, we are talking about Faith Hill to start the new year. Scan the code, sit back and enjoy the show! Youtube@hubmedia Facebook hubmedia.info
THE BOOMER MUSIC EXPERIENCE SHOW!
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RANDY HALMO Professional DJ Phone: 519-426-4750 • Email: rh@klassyfmdj.com MEMBER OF THE CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL DJ ASSOCIATION
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STAYING WARM THIS WINTER! Craig from Causyn Cooling & Heating provides insight on how to keep SCAN winter out! and watch
Scan to listen to this month's article, Be Curious, Not Judgemental, by Dave Scott.
Scan & Enjoy! SCAN ME
Family of Origin is our topic with Lori from Purposefully Unplugged.
HOMELESSNESS... Lill from CMHA and I discuss our growing concerns and the need to understand.
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SCAN ME
Dr Amber McKnight from Simcoe Optometric Clinic tells us about new eyewear technology.
Last-minute renovations! What can be done?
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Checking in on wellness Barb Anstead, RNT, Metabolic Balance Coach
As we usher in 2024, I invite you to check in on wellness. Being open, inviting, and navigating the business of life, while a gift, is not always easy. Staying open to life, for many, can be a massive challenge. This article, as with all of them, is a piece of me that I hope to share and convey some nugget or glimmer that speaks to someone else. In sharing, it is my continued hope that, in some small way, there are ideas or words to encourage, support, inspire, educate or empower our readers. Many of my articles flow with ease. This wasn’t one of them. I find myself particularly reflective of late, hoping I am making a positive difference in the lives of others. Perhaps being at the tail end of the Baby Boomer
generation, it is a tiny bit of an age thing. More than anything, it concerns me greatly to see the mental “weightedness” of others. There have also been an increasing number of people, near and dear to me, experiencing life-changing difficulties and challenges. As we begin to navigate the newness of 2024, I would like to remind and express to family, friends, our clients, patients, and the community as a whole that you are valued, seen, heard, and respected. At Dover Apothecary, in my home office practice and in my daily life, whether you are sharing good moments or bad, people care and are holding space for you. We are here to shine a light on your strengths, acknowledge and assist you as you navigate your difficulties and help you stay on a path to support your wellness. There are daily habits and lifestyle strategies we can incorporate, preplan and “recession proof” for our health and wellness. Resilience is not something that comes easily or consistently in our most challenging moments, but having a support system and knowing the people and professionals you can turn to is a vital tool. None of us have a schedule to tell us when or where the “struggle bus” will stop next, but putting time and energy into realistic, supportive health practices can go a long way. There are ways to help us stay open to the business of life. We can take stock or inventory of our strengths and weaknesses, as these are important coping tools. Being active; maintaining interactive, healthy relationships; wholesome, nutritious foods; fresh air; exercise for the brain and body; adequate sleep; a sense of purpose and connectedness to others, as well as our world; supplements can be very helpful to restore balance as well. Routine checkups with a qualified healthcare professional are an incredibly important part of overall well-being, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual; balance is key for optimal wellness.
Barb Anstead RNT | 519-410-3544 | barb@healthywellandwise.ca | 453 Queen St, S, Simcoe MICHAEL MARINI, B.Sc.Phm. Pharmacist 328 Main Street, Port Dover 519-583-3784 1-888-233-8111
Dover Apothecary “A Different Kind of Drugstore”
MEDS CHECK SERVICE AVAILABLE Call to book your Free Consultation today! Refill your prescriptions online at
doverapothecary .ca
MICHAEL MARINI, B.Sc.Phm. Pharmacist 328 Main Street, Port Dover 519-583-3784 | 1-888-233-8111 MEDS CHECK SERVICE AVAILABLE Call to book your Free Consultation today! Refill your prescriptions online at
doverapothecary . ca
Managing stress in this ever-changing world is likely the most critical component we should attend to. Stress exacerbates and intensifies, if not triggers, a host of other issues and illnesses. The disruptor of mental health and sleep, the robber of peace and perspective, the magnifier of pain and other inflammatory dis-eases and conditions and a virtual storm of other potential negative affectations; that is unmanaged stress. Experiencing stress is part of life. There is good and there is bad stress. Recognizing and identifying when we are in a negative state is essential to navigating periods of high-stress levels. We need to know we are not alone and that it is safe to share. We all need tools, strategies and an emergency plan if we suddenly feel overwhelmed. **Please, should you recognize, in yourself or someone you care about, subtle signs of a “walling off” from life, shifting away
from interaction with others, activities, or life pursuits, reach out for help. Others do care, and professional help is available. Along with the basics of good nutrition (we can’t replace the benefits of regularly fueling our body and brain with the tools we need), there are also some excellent supplements that may be right for you when undergoing prolonged periods of imbalance in your life. High-quality B-complex vitamins, omega-3, vitamin D3, probiotics, magnesium, Ltheanine and many other products may be the extra support you need. For a great start to your 2024 or to get yourself back on track, call or email to book a nutritional consultation. Wishing you good health and wellness.
84 COLBORNE ST. N., SIMCOE, ON TEL: (519) 426-5160
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144 Queensway EastSimcoe • 519-426-3010 • DemeyereChrysler.com
Hello, I’m Kevin, I’m here with Scott and Tracey from ABEL Enterprises. What does ABEL stand for? Ability, Business, Equality, Leadership How did ABEL get started? It was started in 1981 by 5 guys who were surveyed when the institutions were shutting down to see what kind of supports were needed. They decided that the three most important things were shelter, friendship and meaningful activity. They were able to get some startup money, which they used to start a yard-cleaning business. This snowballed and was incorporated with the idea of a workshop. ABEL Enterprises was founded in 1983. What service do you provide for people? ABEL Enterprises is a service funded by the ministry that provides a therapeutic workshop space for people to engage in meaningful activity. The ACE program provides employment supports. Who does the service benefit in the community? ABEL benefits people struggling with mental health or addiction, and the ACE program benefits anybody in the community who may be living with barriers.
Is there a fee? There are no fees for either program. Both are funded by the government, although people in the community can pay for furniture to be built for them. This money goes back into the program. What hours is the business open? We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, but we are sometimes open for bingo and fundraisers outside of those hours. What are your goals for the next 5-10 years? Our main goal right now is to purchase a building because we currently rent. A lot of our fundraising money is used for social activities, events and trips, but we are saving for a building where our offices and workshops will all be under one roof. An ultimate goal would also be to provide housing for people, but this is a long way off. Thank you for your time. It was very educational. K����
DOVER & WATERFORD
PAINT Dover and Waterford Paint can help you with those winter renovations!
PORT DOVER 415 Main Street (519) 583-3411 | WATERFORD 13 Alice Street (226) 550-3411
Scan below to learn more about the Alzheimer Society!