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BY VALERIE LEUNG vleung@richmond-news.com
At 92, a Richmond senior still threads a needle and uses a sewing machine without glasses — one of many accomplishments he takes pride in.
Ken Wong has been actively sewing for the last six years, since COVID-19, as a way to stay mentally active and creative.
“I can thread the needle with no problem,” said Wong, adding that sewing keeps him busy.
“I thought of doing a little bit of sewing or doing anything to keep my brain working so I won’t get dementia.”
While the Richmond resident started playing with his mom’s sewing machine at the age of 10 while other kids had toys, it wasn’t until decades later, during the peak of the pandemic, that the craft became a hobby.
During COVID-19, Wong sewed and sold handmade masks for more than three years and with the help of his family, raising $30,000 through a small business called Masks for Hope. The money was then donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.
After that, Wong started sewing bowl cozies, which are like a bowl-shaped coaster to keep your hands from burning when you take a hot bowl out of a microwave.
The Richmond resident has made more than a thousand of them both for his friends and for pickleball fundraisers.
Aside from bowl cozies, Wong has sewn bags, purses, key chains, luggage tags and pickleball ball bags for pickleball. Some items are also sold at the Minoru Centre for Active Living, with the funds raised going back to the seniors centre.
Most of the material for Wong’s projects is bought from fabric stores or is clothing and
fabric donated to him, which he repurposes.
Sewing isn’t Wong’s only creative pursuit. He used to build simple tables and chairs from wood pieces and even practiced Chinese calligraphy.
When he isn’t sewing or watching TV, he attends tai chi classes at the Minoru Centre for Active Living twice a week.
The Richmond resident said he used to enjoy cycling around Richmond regularly, but after
turning 90, he stopped for safety reasons.
“I just love going around the neighbourhood seeing people — you can call me a nosy neighbour,” said Wong.
“Sometimes just seeing people, the gardens and how they plant the flowers is great.”
He recommends seniors “just go out there, exercise and get moving” to stay healthy.
“You can do anything, just don’t sit down for too long.” t
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BY VALERIE LEUNG vleung@richmond-news.com
Acouple of Richmond Grade 9 students celebrated Valentine’s Day with a random act of kindness this year.
Cambie secondary students
Keith Yu and Marcus Huang visited Minoru Residence on Thursday, Feb. 12, to share gifts of love and appreciation with 250 seniors.
Yu, Huang and their friend Terry Xu said around 160 bags and purses were donated to the school and they wanted to give them away to people who they knew deserved and would appreciate them.
“We came up with this project to find a charity or senior home to give back to and also give some cards and keychains,” explained Huang.
Several card designs were drawn out and photocopied by Huang, but each card was hand-signed by him, Yu and Xu with notes of “uplifting” and encouraging words for the seniors.
Cambie secondary teacher Linda Wong said their names could have been photocopied, but signing by hand allowed the students to “feel the impact” of their random act of kindness.
Meanwhile, the keychains were hand-sewn by Wong’s father, Ken Wong.
Yu told the Richmond News this random act of kindness is important to them because they want to make sure seniors in the community feel appreciated.
“It feels great, especially that we get to make them happy. This is one of the few [things] we can do to make a difference,” said Yu. t
BY VALERIE LEUNG vleung@richmond-news.com
Seniors are being cautioned to watch out for scams and distraction thefts.
Richmond RCMP recently sent out a public warning after seeing a rise in distraction-theft incidents.
Thirteen distraction-theft cases were reported to Richmond police between December and early February, and seniors between the ages of 62 and 92 have been the primary targets in these cases.
Suspects approach victims in public areas on foot or in a vehicle, often next to a road or in neighbourhood settings, while victims are walking or alone.
A variety of distraction techniques are used, such as asking for directions, pretending to recognize the victim, offering jewelry as a gift or sharing emotional stories about family illness or personal hardship.
According to Richmond RCMP, several cases saw suspects initiating physical contact, including placing jewelry on the victim, holding hands or giving unexpected hugs.
Victims then later realize their own jewelry has been removed, swapped or damaged.
Richmond RCMP said some reported incidents did not end in theft, but the “behaviours closely match known distraction-theft patterns”
across the region.
“These interactions can seem harmless at first, but they are designed to lower your guard,” said Const. Frank Bryson with the Richmond RCMP.
“We encourage the public to stay alert, trust their instincts, and take steps to protect themselves. If something feels unusual or uncomfortable, create distance and contact police.”
Another common scam is the “grandparent scam” where seniors think their grandchild is in danger or trouble. Seniors have been tricked into handing over money to “save” their grandchildren.
This scam follows a script where suspects use “highpressure tactics” to convince victims to send money to “help” a family member in trouble.
In a recent case, a scammer called the victim by phone and pretended to be an official from a foreign embassy, according to Richmond RCMP.
The suspect claimed to have the victim’s grandson in custody and demanded urgent bail money of $37,000. The victim was instructed to hand over cash to a taxi or courier driver who would show up at their door.
Police said the victim found out it was a scam after handing over the money.
Anyone with information about these scams or distraction thefts, or anyone who may have experienced similar suspicious interactions, is asked to contact Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212. t
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BY VALERIE LEUNG vleung@richmond-news.com
Johnny Choi’s love for photography started 50 years ago with film cameras. He finally switched to digital cameras around the same time he moved to Richmond two decades ago.
Choi previously worked as a tour guide in Canada on trips to Banff and even the U.S., but when the travel industry took a downturn, he switched careers to work in food production factories, where he stayed until his retirement a decade ago.
The Richmond resident now spends his time out and about taking photos of the city’s landscapes, community and the occasional wildlife.
He told the Richmond News photography has continuously trained his eyesight and mental focus, despite being now in his mid-70s.
“They’ve actually improved, if anything, and it keeps me mentally active because you need to be quite focused when it comes to taking photos of animals,” said Choi.
While the West Dyke Trail and Garry Point Park have been Choi’s favourite photo spots for bird, animal and sunset photos, he said the past few years have been more challenging when it comes to photographing certain animals.
“At that time, I could go to West Dyke to look for owls, but now I can’t do that,” he said,
emphasizing that his age has limited his ability to stay out late.
“Usually the owls come out around dusk, but it’s very cold, and there’s no washroom nearby. So I can’t physically go to find the owls anymore.”
However, Choi has shifted his focus to exploring more of Steveston Village and Imperial Landing, where pathways are more accessible and comfortable for him.
“It’s a lot easier and at least it’s more comfortable to walk,” said Choi.
Choi said the best thing about photography is that it has been good for his health.
“Because you have no choice but to go outside (to take photos),” said Choi. “And when you take photos, you have to think, and then think some more when you go home and process the photos on the computer.”
He described photography as a way to encourage him to go outdoors and stay active, rather than just staying indoors.
When he isn’t out with his camera on hand, he drives around the city to buy groceries and run daily errands on his own.
Choi said he enjoys swimming as well, but that has also been limited as the chlorine in the water has started affecting his skin.
Instead, he just goes to the pool to enjoy the sauna.
At 75 years old, Choi said he wishes he had more time to enjoy group activities at the
seniors centre, but with daily chores and appointments “here and there,” he doesn’t.
“I don’t have much time during the day to interact with people in larger activities.”
However, he said he is proud to say he can still “bravely
and safely drive” in Richmond despite the increase in people and cars on the road.
“Being able to do things on my own still is great, and going out to take photos really brightens my day,” said Choi. t - with files from Vikki Hui
Millions of people will be diagnosed with various dementias, and individuals may wonder if there is anything they can do to prevent or delay cognitive decline.
A study published in July 2021 in the journal Neurology found people who read
Brain health is boosted by reading. regularly had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not.
Reading improves memory, attention, processing speed and other factors in older adults by stimulating the brain through the activation of multiple cognitive processes.
Reading promotes the creation of new neural connections and strengthens existing ones, helping to
maintain brain health, according to a 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. t
Pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years.
Devoted players may not realize it, but pickleball was created in 1965 as a backyard pastime by three dads: Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum and Bill Bell.
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association says around 19.8 million people played pickleball in 2024. While pickleball can be fun and is generally considered to
be less intense than tennis, the sport’s staying power can also be attributed to the significant health benefits it offers.
The combination of social interaction, cognitive impact and aerobic exercise make pickleball a particularly beneficial activity.
Here is a deep look at the many health benefits of pickleball.
•Helps heart health: The Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
has found that middle-aged and older adults who played pickleball one hour per day, three days a week for six weeks saw significant improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels and cardiorespiratory fitness.
•Burns calories: Players can burn between 400 and 600 calories per hour playing pickleball, says the National Institutes of Health. Research shows that playing doubles pickleball results in 36 percent
more calories burned than taking a leisurely walk. Also, pickleball doubles often match or exceed the calorie burn of tennis doubles because rallies tend to be longer with less down time.
•Lowers stress levels: The more people play, the better they feel from a mental perspective. The NIH reports a 2025 study of more than 1,700 players found that playing three or more times a week
was linked to significantly higher mental well-being scores. This exercise can trigger endorphin release and lower cortisol levels.
•Boosts the brain: Pickleball stimulates cognitive function because the game features fast-paced strategy and requires thinking on your
feet. Plus, the fast pace often induces a “flow state,” which is a mental zone where players are so focused they lose track of time, which helps to reduce anxiety.
•Combats loneliness: Pickleball is a social sport, with new centres and leagues popping up each year. That
makes it easy for players to make new friends through the sport.
•Promotes physical agility: Pickleball can be a tool for maintaining independence through physical agility. Baptist Health says pickleball can help improve balance and stability in seniors. Because pickleball
is a weight-bearing sport, it also helps strengthen bones and muscles.
Pickleball is all the rage and a great way for players to have fun and boost health in the process.
For more information about pickleball in Richmond, go to RichmondBCPickleball.org. t
BY VALERIE LEUNG vleung@richmond-news.com
Traditional Chinese calligraphy has been an ongoing art for more than 3,000 years and one Richmond resident has been preserving it for most of his life.
Ronald Zhang, 72, has been practicing Chinese calligraphy since he was in Grade 2 in Guangzhou, China, and since
then, he has written seven books on the art form and teaches it at the Richmond Public Library’s calligraphy club once a month.
For Lunar New Year, Zhang and Richmond student Aiden Luo were writing Chinese calligraphy banners, also called “fai chun,” in Parker Place Mall’s food court.
Zhang and Luo created custom-written Lunar New Year banners for a donation, with all
proceeds supporting programs for children, youth, seniors and families at Connections Community Services Society (CCSS)
“Lunar New Year is a time to celebrate, and there’s no better way than to support programs that help the community,” said Zhang.
Fai chun is a traditional red banner decoration that is placed around doorways to create a festive atmosphere
while wishing families a prosperous year.
One of the most popular Chinese symbols of good luck during Lunar New Year is the Chinese character “fu.”
The symbol is often written in black or printed in gold on a red background. It is said that the symbol brings in positive energy and happiness when hung in homes and in the centre of a door.
Some Asian cultures also tape their “fu” characters upside down because the character becomes the Chinese word for “arrive,” which symbolizes that happiness has arrived.
Zhang told the Richmond News he is a perfectionist when it comes to practicing Chinese calligraphy.
“I would write each word like it was printed in a book, and if it didn’t look correct, I would erase it and start again until it
was perfect,” said Zhang. When it comes to Chinese calligraphy, he explained the consistency of the ink and the ink stone used help with the art form.
Zhang owns and uses an ink stone that dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), that cost roughly $1,000. Calligraphy is all about practice, he added, and words on the page should “look full” and not be “too skinny or
small.”
At Connections Community Services Society, Zhang and Luo practiced writing calligraphy banners ahead of upcoming Lunar New Year events.
A calligrapher should be “courageous and relaxed,” Zhang said, both of which are important aspects of creating beautiful banners.
“Writing and completing a fai chun is a beautiful thing, and
once you hang it up, people enjoy it,” said Zhang.
Zhang said he and Luo met at South Arm Community Centre playing pool and recently reconnected at Community Connections.
Luo, who is in Grade 12 at Hugh McRoberts secondary, said he started learning Chinese calligraphy in China at the age of seven.
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“I like the style, and when you write, it’s kind of relaxing,” said Luo, who practiced the art weekly.
Although he hasn’t practiced it since entering his final year of high school, he believes it is an art form and tradition that should continue as part of Lunar New Year celebrations.
As a senior in Richmond, Zhang is always busy, not only teaching calligraphy in his spare time, but also finding ways to try new things. From swimming and learning the unicycle to ice skating and skateboarding, Zhang has tried it all and welcomes more opportunities to try new sports. “I like to just keep challenging
myself, and I want to do everything that I can while I can,” he said.
While calligraphy trains his mind, sports keep his body healthy.
“The mind and the body must be able to understand each other; that is why both must be practiced even at my age.”
Zhang also started to visit Connections Community to learn more about technology and equipment such as cellphones and computers.
“Although I use them every day, there are some functions that I’m not very familiar with, so I came here to learn,” he said.
“I don’t think I can ever get tired of learning new things.” t
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