OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SPRING 2017 | ISSUE 102

FINANCEProtect your investments

RV LIFESTYLETop 2 places to visit

HEALTHHome Remedies

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Striking it Rich in the YukonIn This Issue

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Editor’s Message

CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright Spring 2017 by Medipac International Communications Inc., 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5. (416)441-7000.

Subscription Price: $9.95 Canada; $20.00 U.S. and foreign. Single copy: $3.95. Prices include tax.

Published by Medipac International Communications Inc.

Opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the CSA, Medipac International Communications Inc. or its affiliates, their Directors, Officers, or other employees or agents.

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No: 40063603.

ISSN No: 1195-2393

Barb & Ron KrollDr. Robert MacMillanDavid McPhersonAndrew Moore-CrispinRobert Wiersema Rex Vogel Merv Magus

Gabrielle Bauer Donna Carter

Michael CorenJennifer CoxShari DarlingJames Dolan

Illustrator

Karen HuestisRon SteevesJohn Foster Garry McDonald Rod SeilingBob SlackJames LerouxRobert HermanTed PopelWendy CabanMichael MacKenzieWallace Weylie

President First Vice-President

Second Vice-President

TreasurerSecretary

Past PresidentDirectorDirectorDirector Director

Executive Director Legal Counsel

CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EditorCSA Editor

President Art Director

Director of SalesDirector of Operations

Marketing & Events Specialist

J. Ross QuigleyKaren HuestisChris BradburyPeter PrusaNeville B. LevinPaula McGovernFran Castricone

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE 102

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

I was fortunate enough to attend three of CSA’s 25th-anniversary events. The excitement and dedication of all of the people involved was exhilarating. I met members whom I had not seen for several

years and it was fun catching up on all of our lives. That is really what all of our events are about – community, and building and nurturing that community. The volunteers were some of the old faithful, but there are always new faces, and talents, every time.

There was one disappointment, but only from an attendance point of view. On the morning of the Ontario picnic, the Fort DeSoto area was caught up in dangerous weather warnings including the possibility of tornadoes. We decided to chance the storm warnings anyway and drove up from Venice to Fort DeSoto, a distance of about 50 miles. It was very stormy and visibility was very poor, but we eventually made it. We drove by several businesses that had their roofs torn off earlier that morning, but it appeared that the tornadoes had passed. When we got to the picnic, our efforts were rewarded by the sun which came out to meet us (and the rain stopped), but it was still pretty cold, even for hearty Canadians. And we, of course, had fun with the 50 or so people who attended. Congratulations to the organizers and volunteers who bravely withstood the elements and made our get-together possible.

You should try and attend one of the 25th-anniversary events in Canada this fall. Lots of information, entertainment, good friends and just good old-fashioned fun. And remember to pick up your CSA 25th Anniversary pin.

Hopefully, a wonderful summer lies ahead…and a tax refund would be nice.

Sincerely,

J. Ross Quigley Editor

We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada.

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 3

Table of Contents

Features

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE 102OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION

17

24

Striking it Rich in the YukonDiscover a fortune of scenic, natural and human treasures.by Barb and Ron Kroll

Top Two Places to Visit in 2017Our RV expert gives you his opinion on the most scenic destinations in Canada and the U.S.by Rex Vogel

Travel

RV Lifestyle

4 | www.snowbirds.org

Table of Contents

28

32

Departments

37 Longevity by Jennifer Cox

38 Book Review by Robert Wiersema

40 Golf by David McPherson

42 Food & Drink by Shari Darling

44 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin

46 CSA Application

47 Benefits

48 Fun & Games

49 Grins & Giggles

50 Fast Facts

3 Editor’s Message

6 Snowbird Alert

8 Bird Talk

11 Profile

12 President’s Message

13 Government Relations Report

14 Canada Clubs

15 Insurance by Ross Quigley

16 Opinion by Michael Coren

35 Health Pulse

36 Fitness by Jennifer Cox

Getting Ready for Rising RatesHow to protect your portfolio (and seize opportunities) in a rising interest rate environmentby James Dolan

Medical Cures: Myth or Fact?Dr. Bob explores some of the home remedies he hears about while on tour.by Dr. Robert MacMillan

Finance

Health

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 5

Snowbird Alert

Go to the doctorGet those pre-existing medical conditions under con-trol and work with your doctor to make any necessary adjustments to your medication as soon as possible. Get followup tests and procedures scheduled so that you have a clear 90-day stability period before you head south in the fall.

File your 8840 FormWhen you fulfil the requirements of the substantial presence test, you can be treated as a resident of the United States and be taxed by the IRS on your worldwide income. Declare your closer connection to Canada by completing the IRS 8840 Form and send it in.

Update your Personal Health Record

When you or your spouse are dealing with a medical emergency either away or at home, you don’t want to run around looking for prescription medication bottles or be concerned with an accurate recollection of what year or instance in which either of you received medical treatment. Write it down now, while you have time and presence of mind, and keep it in a handy spot – such as on your fridge – for quick and easy access should the time ever come at which you need to answer medical questions quickly.

Renew your CSA Membership

Support the only organization that actively lobbies governments in Canada and the United States to protect and defend the snowbird lifestyle.

Note: 8840 Form, Personal Health Records and CSA Membership renewal can all be accessed easily at www.snowbirds.org

SPRINGTIME SNOWBIRD CHECKLIST

As you give your home a good spring cleaning this year, you may come across investment statements — and it’s a good time to take a closer look.

Your 2017 statements contain new, personalized information about how well your investments performed and how much you paid for services from your dealer (the company that your advisor works for) in the past year. This information will help you on your path to becoming a more knowledgeable investor.

Your report will tell you how well your investments performed after costs have been deducted. It’s called your “personal rate of return” and it’s unique to you. For example, you and your neighbour could each have a different personal rate of return even if you’ve invested in the same fund, because you each moved money in and out of the fund at different times. Your personal rate of return includes the timing of your own deposits and withdrawals, and changes in the market value of your securities.

Your report will list the fees which you paid for the services that you received from your dealer over the past year. Services could include understanding your finances and risk tolerance, guiding you to build and maintain your financial plan, buying and selling units based on your needs, and keeping detailed records of your account.

This information is new to most investors and helps give a clearer picture of how investments are performing. Whether they’re sitting on your to-do list, at the bottom of your spring cleaning pile, or waiting in your inbox, open your new reports and take charge of your money today.

Find more information online at ific.ca.www.newscanada.com

I75 DisruptionEight miles (13km) of Interstate-75’s southbound lanes will be closed for the next two years. This affects all traffic entering the U.S. across the Ambassador Bridge at Windsor and heading south on the inter-state. It may also affect southbound traffic entering the U.S. at the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia and taking I-94 south to links with I-75 south in Detroit. Incidentally, the northbound lanes are not affected by this closure, except for some temporary lane restrictions.

If you enjoy using Dave Hunter’s “Along I-75” guidebook, you can download replace-ment maps including Dave’s Better Detour to navigate your journey this fall.

www.i75online.com

Find out how your money is working for you

6 | www.snowbirds.org

www.westshorebeachclub.ca

Bird Talk

Dear Bird Talk,

I would like our president and the board of directors to get a suggestion to Mr. Trump’s negotiators that the easiest way to level the playing field between Canada and the U.S. on trade would be to peg the CDN $ and the US $ at even par. This would make for fair trade and stop the big banks from charging huge fees to exchange our $.

Bryan McDougall Thessalon, ON

Ed.: I loved this note. Totally impossible, I think, but why not send that note anyway. It will be good to get on their radar regardless.

Dear Bird Talk,

I am in the U.S. for approximately 80 days each year so do not need to file the form, but is there any downside to filing in any case, just for peace of mind?

Paul Rosenberg Vancouver, BC

Ed.: CSA recommends filing if you stay for longer than three months in the U.S. There is certainly no downside if you decide to file the 8840 when you spend less time. We believe in “peace of mind.”

Dear Bird Talk,

If a person requires routine tests, for example blood work or an ECG that is not an emergency while they are in the U.S., how is that arranged and paid for?

Laurel Pettigrew Cochrane, AB

Ed.: No travel insurance policy covers non-emergency treatment or routine care for a chronic condition that requires monitoring. You would have to pay for it yourself and then get reimbursement from the Alberta Health Plan. They might pay 5-10% of the cost.

Dear Bird Talk,

Does any travel health insurance company offer a policy for travel exclusively in Canada? If not, why not? It should be rela-tively inexpensive and cover those situations that your home province does not cover. Can you advocate on our behalf?

Victor Wall Lac du Bonnet, MB

Ed.: The Medipac Annual plan covers unlimited 23-day trips anywhere in the world and also covers you for up to six months in Canada, when outside your province of residence. This was an amazing deal at a par dollar, but it needs to be updated now. We will have one for you later this year.

Dear Bird Talk,

In a previous Bird Talk forum, it was men-tioned that P.E.I. is the only province that doesn’t allow seven months’ absence to retain their health plan. In checking online with the Quebec Health Plan, I see nothing that says that and it appears they are saying six months. I know this seems true as I was recently asked to provide proof that I was in Quebec for at least six months. I had to provide six months of credit card statements proving I spent money in Quebec – we spend six months less about 10 days every year in Phoenix, Arizona. Can you confirm what the rule really is?

Richard Lefebvre Longueuil, QC

Ed.: Currently, Québec has one of the most trav-el-friendly policies on health coverage for absent residents. In order to maintain coverage under the Québec Health Insurance Plan, residents must be present in Québec for more than half of the year. Specifically, the total number of days of absence in a given calendar year must be fewer than 183. What differentiates Québec is that, in addition, an unlimited number of short-term trips, each no longer than 21 consecutive days, can be taken without counting toward the total number of days of absence. CSA is working to amend that to 23 days, which would be even more convenient for members.

Dear Bird Talk,I ordered a supply of placemats a week ago and they have already arrived. Thank you so much. Please let me know if there will be any special supplies available to help celebrate our 150th birthday.

Diana McNiven St. Catharines, ON

Ed.: If you want some CSA 25th Anniversary Pins, call the CSA and I am sure we can send you a bunch.

For free Canada Day items you can Google 'free Canada day items' or go directly to http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1449243830064. There is a form you can complete and submit to the Department of Canadian Heritage for a limited supply of complimentary items for your Canada Day Party.

Deadline is May 12, 2017 - so hurry!

Oh, say can you see

by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the

twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars

thru the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were

so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare,

the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thru the night that our

flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled

banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and

the home of the brave?

STAR SPANGLED BANNER

O Canada!Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all thy sons command.With glowing hearts

we see thee rise,The True North

strong and free!From far and wide,

O Canada,we stand on guard for thee.God keep our land

glorious and free!O Canada,

we stand on guard for thee.O Canada,

we stand on guard for thee.

O CANADA!

ArizonaCalifornia

Florida

Lakeland CenterLakeland

Florida

McAllen Convention CenterMcAllen

Texas

To order placemats for your social function, call the CSA/Medipac placemat line at 1-877-888-2505 or visit www.snowbirds.org.

Have a Great Time Today!See you at an Extravaganza near you!

Mesa Convention CenterMesa

Arizona

The Voice of Travelling Canadians. If you're not a member, become one!

1-800-265-3200www.snowbirds.org

Your world is unique. We insure it.

1-800-267-8000

Enjoy the freedom of the snowbird lifestyle. Call us…before you travel again!

1-888-MEDIPACwww.medipac.com

Secure cross-border banking. Preferred rates. $0-5 transfer fees.

1-800-265-3200www.SnowbirdExchange.com

8 | www.snowbirds.org

Bird Talk

Featuring the letters & concerns of our members

SEND YOUR LETTERS TOBird Talk, c/o CSANews180 Lesmill Road Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5 or by e-mail: csawriteus@snowbirds.org

Bird Talk

Dear Bird Talk,

From time to time, I see articles in Bird Talk regarding questions on telephone services between Canada & U.S. Prior to departing Canada in 2016, I signed up with a company called Comwave which was advertising a six-month promotional deal for unlimited Canada & U.S. long distance for $19.95 per month. Sounded like a no-brainer, since I was paying out $35.00 per month to my provider for local calling only. The Comwave system uses your Wi-Fi. My only issue here was what conditions applied with Comwave when I go seasonal. Well, to my disbelief, the agent indicated to me that would not be a problem; for an additional cost of $10.00, I could take my wireless phones with me along with my local phone number to use in the U.S. at no additional usage fees other than my Wi-Fi service. I could also make unlimited long-dis-tance calls throughout the U.S. and Canada using my local Canadian phone number from my U.S. residence. With nothing to lose for the first ‘free’ six months, I signed up and Comwave handled the transfer of my local phone number to their company. Everything seems smooth and the system worked well in Canada for a month before being set up at our U.S. residence, where it has been working flawlessly too. So snowbirds, check out the website www.comwave.net. Your 911 can be configured to either address.

Merrill Andrews St. John’s NL

Ed.: We don’t usually print this type of e-mail as it is sort of an advertisement. This sounds pretty good to me, though, and I thought that we should pass it along. CSA does not recommend any particular phone carriers, as their rules and costs seem to change every day.

Dear Bird Talk,

In the fall 2016 issue, a writer asked if blood pressure medication containing both hydro-chlorothiazide and another medication was considered as ONE medication.

Your reply was “it is only counted as one pill (medication).”

I, as an RN, was rather surprised at this…should this not be explained on the application form? Something to the effect of: a pill that contains hydrochlorothiazide COMBINED WITH a second blood pressure medication is considered to be ONE medication.

I have considered it as two medications when I have filled in the application in the past; now I know not to.

I have a question about medication: I take one (combination hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan) medication for my blood pressure. After an episode of atrial fib this past January while I was in FL (and Medipac was great!), I was started on metoprolol to slow my pulse. HOWEVER, it can also be used to treat high blood pressure. So in Medipac’s eyes, am I now on two blood pressure medications?

And I have a question about coverage: We are thinking of taking a cruise in 2018 that goes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. The Canadian government states there is a travel advisory against these areas…although many cruises a year sail there.

Medipac states there is no coverage if there is an advisory in place. Does this mean I am not covered for THAT part of the cruise, or for the whole cruise? If I am treated on board by the ship’s MD in that area, am I covered?

Does it mean I am not covered for ANY medical emergency in that area (i.e. an MI), or only for any medical injury that arises due to war, terrorism, etc.

Thank you.

Marian Bowles Newmarket, ON

Ed.: Lots of great questions. Let’s start with one pill containing two medications. I think that Medipac is unique in still considering this as one medication. We felt that many seniors were not totally aware of the content of their individual pills and it was unfair to expect them to be pharmacists. So, one pill counts as one medication even if there are two or more medications contained in that pill. This combining of medications is getting to be very common now.

The metoprolol, in your situation, is considered a heart medication as it is to protect your heart from beating too fast. You do not have to count it as a blood pressure medication, but the A-fib (if occurring in the past five years) does place you in the Standard rate class.

The cruise question is easy – again with Medipac, we consider this as a temporary stopover and you would be fully covered both on and off the boat, even if the destination was on the government’s travel advisory.

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 9

Dear Bird Talk,

I just read with interest your response to Weldon Hehr’s post in the recent CSA News magazine (issue 101) concerning his question about bringing grapefruit and lemons into Canada from Arizona.

We have been bringing such fruit into Canada (via the Peace Arch entry) for the past three years. When I first inquired about this with the Customs folks and, in particular, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, I was able to find a very descriptive outline of which fruits and vegetable are allowed back into Canada, by travellers. In that website posting, it listed citrus fruits and indicated that up to 240 kilograms of this fruit were allowed to be brought back into Canada. So we pack a large storage container of oranges from our home in Arizona with us and declare them at the border. So far, we have been able to bring these across with us with no difficulty.

However, since looking this up and prompted by your response to Mr. Hehr, I thought I’d better check again. The Canada Food Inspection Agency website has changed since I looked it up three years ago and, in fact, is much simpler to follow:

The website to look for is: “What Can I Bring into Canada in Terms Of Food, Plant, Animal and Related Products.”

It lists as one of the allowable foods to be brought into Canada: “15 packages or less up to 250 kilograms of fresh fruits and vegetables per person (excluding potatoes).” I subsequently called the Inspection Agency info number and spoke to a very helpful lady there who confirmed that yes, you can bring in citrus

fruits (up to the 250-kilogram limit). She was not able to confirm if the fruit needed to be in packages, but was confident that if the fruit was in bulk (in a storage container) this would be okay. This is consistent with my experience as well. But, she was very careful to point out that apples were strictly VERBOTEN!! (as well as other pitted fruits).

Hopefully this helps.

Doug McLennan, Nanaimo, BC

Dear Bird Talk,

I have just reviewed the Canada Gov. website and see that in your Bird Talk winter issue 101 you are wrong. The Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) confirms if a specific item is allowed.

Fruits and vegetables, including herbs: dried

• up to 15 packages per person

• but not more than 250 kilograms

Fruits and vegetables, including herbs: frozen or canned

• fruits

Ք up to 15 frozen packages or 15 cans per person

Ք but not more than 250 kilograms

• vegetables

Ք up to 20 kilograms of frozen or chilled vegetables per person

Fruits and vegetables: fresh

• one bag up to 4 kilograms of U.S. number 1 potatoes per person and the bag must be commercially packaged

• 15 packages or less up to 250 kilograms of fresh fruits and vegetables per person (excluding potatoes)

• must be free from soil, pests, leaves, branches and/or plant debris

• some restrictions on some fresh fruit and vegetables from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington

• in British Columbia (BC): restrictions on fresh apples, stone fruit and potatoes

Use Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) to confirm if the product is allowed, before bringing it into Canada.

Kind Regards,

Garry Korotash, Edmonton, AB

Ed.: Several people, including D.H., Wayne Amund-sen, Harris Toth, Brian Kisinger and Doug Saumer, referred members to the Government of Canada AIRS website for further information. See below:

www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for- consumers/travellers what-can-i-bring-into- canada-/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990

Mea culpa, and thank you for helping us set the record straight.

Bird Talk

Ed.: In CSANews Issue 101 we, meaning me, provided an incorrect response to a Bird Talk letter from Weldon Hehr regarding importing fruit from the U.S. into Canada. I am not sure where my mind was when I answered the question, because I have often imported fruit from the U.S. myself. I also send fruit baskets back to Canada for friends’ special occasions. We received dozens of letters and they were all wonderful to read and most had been well-researched. Several letters outlined their experiences at the border and the comments of their border officer. Doug McLennan of Nanaimo, B.C. and Garry Korotash of Edmonton, Alberta sent the following replies:

10 | www.snowbirds.org

Profile

Gerry Brissenden may well have been the most enthusiastic member of the CSA Board of Directors since the Association’s inception in 1992. A fact that can’t be denied is that he served on the Association’s board longer than any other member in the Association’s history; 18 years.

He was appointed to the board in the year 2000, representing the districts of Ontario and Florida and, throughout his tenure, per-formed the executive functions of treasurer, president and immediate past-president.

During his time at the helm of the Canadian Snowbird Association, Gerry was successful at increasing the amount paid for medical services outside the Province of Prince Edward Island from $400.00 to $1,250.00 per day. He convinced the Manitoba government to allow residents to travel an extra 30 days each year. He oversaw the co-ordination of absentee ballot voting for Canadian snow-birds in the United States in the 2006 federal election and had the laws changed so that Ontario residents could vote from abroad in provincial elections.

He was a tenacious advocate and took his position and his mandate seriously. He never missed an opportunity to meet with a politician or attend a fundraiser in order to further the profile of the CSA. He was relentless in his pursuit of appointments, knocking on doors and telephoning until he got his meeting scheduled. He was always first in line to send a congratulatory memo

when someone was elected or appointed to cabinet. And, if he liked you, you would always get a card from him on your birthday; a true gentleman.

Gerry was a man of the people and loved to be in front of an audience, whether it was to answer questions at a Winter Meeting, to conduct a presentation at a Canada Club event or simply to perform a song, play or a skit for everyone’s amusement; he was as much at home on stage as he was anywhere else.

In his working life, he was a professional soccer player (playing for the Tottenham Hotspurs),

served his community as a member of the police constabulary in London, England and later in Montreal, Quebec and was proud of the work that he did for Playtex Industries and Allied Van Lines as vice-president of sales and marketing.

Over the years during which Gerry repre-sented the CSA, we all had the opportunity to work or play with him at one point or another and, as a result, we each have a funny story or a fond memory to share about him.

He will be missed.

Gerry Brissenden August 29, 1931 to March 6, 2017

Joan and Gerry Brissenden at Snowbird Extravaganza

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 11

President’s Message

Karen HuestisCSA President

It is an honour for me to accept the office of president of the Canadian Snowbird Association.

For 25 years, the association has actively defended the rights and privileges of travel-ling Canadians.

As your new president, I am re-committing to you today my dedication to carry on with that challenge on behalf of our members, across Canada as well as the United States.

We have accomplished much in our past and, at the same time, new challenges lie ahead. We are confident that our new board of directors, together with the CSA staff and our benefit partners – all working as a team – will meet these challenges as we continue to build on what we have achieved.

As in all organizations, it is important to increase our membership. A large and dedi-cated membership is essential when lobbying on your behalf to governments in Canada and the United States. We will continue to make this a priority.

On behalf of the CSA and its board of direc-tors, I would like to thank Bob Slack and his wife Lois for their dedication and hard work over the past seven years. They have truly been ambassadors for the association.

My first stop as president was at the annual Snowbird Extravaganza in Lakeland, Florida. From there, my husband Bill and I headed to McAllen, Texas for the Winter Texans’ Snowbird Extravaganza and Mesa, Arizona for the annual Canadian Snowbird Celebration. Despite the depressed value of the Canadian dollar, we welcomed big crowds and were again fortunate enough to have sold hundreds of new memberships.

From there, we embarked on the annual Winter Information Meeting tour. This year, we made stops in Sahuarita, Arizona before putting on shows in both Indio and Winterhaven, California. We then headed back to Florida with stops in Immokalee, Dania Beach, Bradenton, Dunedin and Punta Gorda.

I would like to thank all of the volunteers and all those who attended any of these shows; there is no way we could do any of this year in and year out without your support. Thanks also to our partners at Medipac for all that they do to assist in the organization of these terrific events.

The sixth edition of the Canadian Travellers’ Report Card was officially released at Snowbird Extravaganza in Lakeland. As those of you who are regular readers of our report cards know, we have achieved many victories on the government relations front…particularly over the past few years. Having said that, unfortunately we still have many battles to fight, particularly around the issue of provincial reimbursement rates. To find out what your federal and provincial/territorial governments are doing to help or hinder your right to travel, please visit our website at www.snowbirds.org and download a copy.

In March, I met with Mr. David MacNaughton – Canada’s newly appointed ambassador to the United States – in Miami. The reason for the meeting was so that he could get a better appreciation for the depth and breadth of the economic impact which Canadian travellers have on Florida each and every year. In 2016, Florida visits by Canadians topped 4.2 million and those visitors spent $5.1 billion. This easily makes Canada Florida’s number-one tourism market. Having said that, it’s import-ant to note that Ambassador MacNaughton

represents all Canadians travelling, working and investing in/with the United States.

Obviously, one of his biggest concerns is ensuring that the border between our two countries remains secure while, at the same time, permitting the speedy passage of both goods and people, a primary concern of all travelling Canadians. I should also mention that Ambassador MacNaughton requested the meeting and it took place only four days after he presented his credentials to the new administration in Washington. It was clear to me that he takes the concerns of the Canadian Snowbird Association seriously. We will be similarly engaged with him in the coming months demonstrating the strong, economic impact which our members in the Western snowbird states have on their local winter economies.

Yet again our Snowbird Currency Exchange Program has experienced a significant increase in use, as well as in first-time enrol-ments. If you have yet to do so, please take a look at this money-saving program. It is without doubt one of the most attractive offer-ings of the Canadian Snowbird Association.

Thanks again to Bob and Lois Slack, our incoming and outgoing board of directors, office staff, members, volunteers and friends at Medipac. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and doing some hard, effective work on your behalf in the years to come.

Bill and I wish all of you a safe journey home to Canada.

12 | www.snowbirds.org

Government Relations Report

Ron SteevesFirst Vice-President

In October 2016, representatives from the Canadian Snowbird Association met with senior health officials at the Department

of Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living to discuss rescinding the requirement for Manitoba residents to apply for a term certificate if they were leaving the province for more than three months.

In past discussions with previous govern-ments in Manitoba, it was indicated that Manitobans who wish to be away for longer than three months were required to inform the government of their expected dates of departure and return. Upon this notifica-tion, they would receive a term certificate confirming coverage from Manitoba Health. It should be noted that no other jurisdiction in Canada requires that temporarily absent residents apply for a term certificate prior to their departure for longer than three months.

The CSA is pleased to announce that the Department of Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living has now clarified their position regarding the term certificate, indi-cating to the CSA in writing that it is only a recommendation and not a requirement for Manitoba travellers.

In an effort to be responsive to the concerns raised by the CSA, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living has amended the Request for Temporary Out-of-Province Benefits form to permit residents to indicate whether or not they wish to receive a term certificate. In addition, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living has taken steps to update its website and internal processes to clarify its messaging with respect to out-of-country benefits.

In 2013, the CSA worked closely with the gov-ernment of Manitoba to increase the length of time residents of Manitoba may temporarily reside outside of their home province from six to seven months in a 12-month period. This clarification from the Department of Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living will allow Manitoba snowbirds to travel freely outside of their home province for up to seven months without having to first notify the Manitoba government of their travel plans.

On behalf of the association, I would like to thank Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen for making this important clarification.

On March 6, 2017, the front page of the National Post announced “As U.S. Tightens Border, Bills Would Let Snowbirds Stay Longer.” This was, of course, in reference to our seemingly never-ending Canadian Retiree Visa initiative. On Feb 7, 2017, Congressmen Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Ted Yoho (R-FL) introduced “The Promoting Tourism to Enhance our Economy Act” whose sole objective is the implementation of our visa proposal that would allow eligible Canadian citizens to spend up to 240 days in the United States in a 365-day period. It is also important to mention that such persons would be treated as non-resident aliens for tax purposes. As we go to press, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is poised to reintroduce her “Canadian Snowbird Visa” bill that was first introduced in September 2016. Both bills will be bipartisan in nature and we are meet-ing with all of the lawmakers in question on a regular basis to ensure that these efforts are co-ordinated. We will have a more fulsome update on our progress in the summer edition of the magazine.

On May 9, 2017, British Columbia residents will go to the polls to elect a new provincial government. In order to ensure that issues of importance to our members are adequately addressed during the campaign, we will be issuing to our British Columbia members a British Columbia Election Handbook prior to voting day.

This publication outlines the limitations of British Columbia’s provincial reimburse-ment rates for out-of-country emergency medical care, allowable time permitted out of the province and information regarding prescription drug allowances for travellers. The handbook is also a great resource that contains important information regarding election times, dates and polling information. We publish these handbooks for every prov-ince and territory across Canada whenever there is a provincial or territorial election.

On March 22, 2017, the Saskatchewan gov-ernment announced that it was raising the rate of provincial sales tax from five per cent to six per cent. Effective July 1, 2017, the PST of six per cent will now apply to all insurance products as defined in The Saskatchewan Insurance Act which will seemingly include insurance premiums on medical travel insur-ance. Needless to say we are very concerned about this and, as we go to press, CSA offi-cials are on their way to Saskatchewan in an attempt to resolve this prior to the July 1 implementation date. Medical insurance is simply a prepayment for medical services that may or may not be consumed and, if so, are consumed outside of the province. We are firmly opposed to this and will update you shortly on our progress.

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 13

Canada Clubs

Four Lakes Golf Club CANAM event in Winter Haven New Canadian Club at Quail Creek

Saddlebag Lake Resort Canada Club

Citrus Park Canada Club

Greenfield Village Resort

2017 marks the 25th Anniversary for the Canadian Snowbird Association.

To commemorate this milestone, the CSA and Medipac Travel Insurance each offered $500 to qualifying Canada Clubs that planned to host a 25th Anniversary Celebration this past winter.

The results are in and a good time was had by all!

Join the Celebration!

14 | www.snowbirds.org

At this time, the province of Saskatchewan is trying to implement a sales tax on travel medical insurance. This would obviously increase premiums by 6% across the board and is very unfair to seniors who wish to travel in their hard-earned retirement. The irony is that the medical services which they are taxing are almost all provided OUTSIDE of Canada.

We have already fought this battle in Ontario, several years ago, and the Ontario govern-ment “saw the light” and issued Medipac an exemption from the tax as we provide only medical services (not taxable) and services provided outside of Canada (not taxable).

Hopefully, Saskatchewan will also see the light and leave their seniors alone to enjoy their retirement.

We will also certainly remind them that travel insurance premiums are high to start with, because they are breaching the Canada Health Act portability provision. One of the issues that Gerry was very passionate about was the Canada Health Act, and the provincial governments’ failure to uphold the Act for all Canadians. If you want to help, a contribu-tion to CSA’s Special Action Fund, in Gerry’s memory, would be appropriate.

J. Ross QuigleyCEO Medipac International Inc.

Insurance

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Gerry Brissenden, a Past President of the Canadian Snowbird

Association. Gerry served the CSA for 18 years and held most executive posts during his long tenure. He was the ultim-ate volunteer and gave more of himself to others than you would even think possible. He was my friend.

Gerry battled the governments, he bat-tled with the board and he battled with Medipac, all for the benefit of “his” CSA members. His history included being a “Bobbie” in England and one of the top salespeople for Playtex. His police back-ground was always in evidence, with his inquiring mind and a relentless search for the real facts. He was a vocal supporter of all police endeavours and was especially involved with helping and promoting the Police Veterans’ associations. He was afraid of no one and spoke his mind, but everyone loved him, even his adversaries in government. His last battle was with cancer and he died a peaceful death, sur-rounded by family and friends, knowing that he had done his best. We will all miss him!

Medipac made special insurance arrange-ments for him to be able to attend CSA’s November board meeting and spend Christmas and New Year’s with friends in the U.S. He was hoping to stay for Extravaganza to accept his retirement awards, but that was not to be.

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 15

Opinion

with Michael Coren

I was born in 1959 in Britain to a mixed family: three of my grandparents were Jewish, but my maternal grandma – and

that’s the one who matters – was not. So I was Jewish enough for anti-Sem-ites but not quite sufficiently kosher for most Jews. It was a supremely happy, if humble upbringing and, if there were any Jew-haters around, I wasn’t really aware of them. English Nazis were lonely and impotent freaks living in obscurity, and anti-Semitism was a toxin that had been long rejected by the vast majority of people.

Today, the situation in Europe and North America appears on the surface to have changed. Jewish cemeteries vandalized, racist graffiti on Jewish homes, countless bomb threats to Jewish schools and institutions and, we are told, widespread hostility on college campuses. These are actually profoundly different things, but more of that later.

The bomb threats and attacks are clearly motivated by hatred; the one perpetrator who was caught in March was motivated, bizarrely, by a broken romance – but that’s an aberration. The desecration of graves is equally and obviously anti-Semitic in cause, and how telling it is that members of the master race are only brave enough to confront the dead.

So, do we construe from all this that obsessive despisers of Jews have suddenly multiplied? I very much doubt that. What has happened is that anti-Semites and for that matter, racists in general, have recently felt

empowered, partly by the election of Donald Trump but also because of the rise of the hard right in Europe. Ironically, that far right in Holland, Britain and even to a degree in France, is not specifically anti-Jewish and often pro-Israel.

The point about the racist coward, however, is that it’s a creature easily intimidated but quickly embold-ened by the assumption of numbers. When long-time anti-Semites believe through the distorted lens of social media that they are not alone, they tend to act. And there is nothing so apparently safe as making bomb threats by phone through a for-eign-based and untraceable number.

The result is confusion, fear and panic – the precise results the rancid Hitlerites desire – and the exact reason that members of the Jewish community must realize that they are in fact supported, defended and loved. The Nazi bullies are pathetic and grimy and, while they can intimi-date and annoy, they can never win.

Ostensible campus anti-Semitism is a different issue and one which we have to get right. In spite of what radical supporters of Israel might claim, most critics of Israeli policy are certainly not anti-Jewish and that applies even to those who are passionately opposed to Israeli actions. Of course, some racists join the anti-Zionist ranks, but then the contrary holds true too: Arthur Balfour of the eponymous declaration that gave rise to Israel was repulsed by the idea of a country full of Jews!

Yet to label the anti-Israel left, even the boycott and divestment move-ment, as being anti-Semitic is reduc-tive and dangerous. More than this, to dismiss Jewish anti-Zionists – and there are more all the time – as being self-loathing is simply insulting.

Of course there are valid questions to be asked about the double standards applied to, for example, Israel and Iran; vital discussions to be had about what some radical Muslims say about Jews; essential conversations over how the left understand the Jewish experience; and please, please have the sensitivity and intelligence not to accuse Jews of being Nazis.

But informed criticism, even of a harsh kind, of a powerful and highly military state in the Middle East is not the same as smashing a Jewish cemetery or threatening to bomb a school. This stuff matters, and shame on those conservative websites and organizations that seem to exploit all of this for their own ends, and who blame Islam and socialism for every act of gutter racism.

The current revival of that old ghoul that we thought buried in 1945 is horrible, but I am convinced that it will slither back to its bog before too long. In the meantime, react sensibly and cleverly and know that the world hasn’t changed as much as some people would like us to believe. The good guys won then, they will win again now.

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Travel

Striking it Rich in the Yukon

Million-dollar panoramasIMAX-movie scenery awed us on a flight-seeing tour of

Kluane National Park, departing from Haines Junction, a 1.5-hour drive northwest of Whitehorse, Yukon’s capital.

Our Kluane Glacier Air Tours plane skirted over massive peaks, rugged ridges and breathtaking glaciers in the

UNESCO World Heritage Site. We swivelled our heads to view mountains poking their rocky heads through snow

blanketing their flanks like downy comforters. Clouds flowed like champagne foam between their peaks.

Some glaciers looked like elongated ski runs. Others, such as Kaskawulsh, resembled curving superhighways. To see a larger ice field, we’d have to fly over the North or South Poles.

Our jaws dropped as we circled Mount Logan, Canada’s highest mountain. Its massive peaks are only the tip of the 5,959-metre mountain. The rest is buried in 1.5 kilometres of ice. We half-expected a woolly mammoth to plod across the landscape.

Story and Photos by Barb and Ron Kroll

Lured by gold and Klondike heritage, we discovered a

fortune of scenic, natural and human treasures

Before we travelled to the Yukon, we associated Canada’s northwestern territory with the Klondike Gold Rush. During our midsummer visit, we did discover gold, but we also found far more encompassing riches.

Half the size of Ontario with a population of 37,600, Yukon is home to the world’s smallest desert, Canada’s highest mountain, the planet’s largest non-polar ice field, tranquil lakes, fast-flowing rivers, vibrant wildflowers, wildlife galore – including twice as many moose as residents – and some of the friendliest people you’ll meet anywhere.

Emerald Lake

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 17

Travel

Woolly mammoths More than 15,000 years ago, these hairy, hump-backed behemoths crossed the lost subcontinent of Beringia from eastern Siberia into Yukon. The Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre in Whitehorse displays a cast of the largest woolly mammoth ever discovered. Larger than an Asian elephant, its enormous feet evoked memories of the thunderous footsteps which we heard in Jurassic Park.

“Yukon’s gold miners often unearth piles of

mammoth tusks and bones,” said a museum employee as we gazed at the long, curved tusks. Mammoth tusks are Crown property and can only be legally sold or exported if government paleontologists determine that they have no scientific or historical value. Several Whitehorse gem and souvenir shops sell mammoth ivory jewellery created from broken tusk fragments.

Aerial view of mountain peaks in Kluane National Park

Rings on horns of Dall sheep indicate its age

Moose stands in Yukon Wildlife Preserve pond

Wildlife photo safariIt was living, rather than extinct mammals, that enticed us onto a guided bus tour of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, a 25-minute drive northwest of Whitehorse. The 300-hectare preserve’s habitats – ranging from bogs to boreal forests – shelter 90 species of birds and 11 species of northern mammals.

A massive moose stood knee-deep in a pond while munching vegetation. Shaggy wood bison grazed on lush grass.

Muskoxen rested under shady trees. An Arctic ground squirrel stood on its hind legs and uttered a high-pitched cry.

Our guide explained that the moulting white mountain goats were antelopes, not goats. She also explained how to estimate the age of Dall sheep by counting rings on their horns.

Woolly mammoth cast in Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, Whitehorse

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Travel

Aerial view of mountain peaks in Kluane National Park

Restored 1897 Skagway Brewing Co. building

Carcross Station, a Canadian Heritage Railway Station

Yukon Suspension Bridge above the Tutshi River

Scenic route to the U.S.The next day, we drove 180

kilometres south of Whitehorse on the Klondike Highway to Skagway, Alaska. It was a scenic

drive. Bristly pines and snow-streaked mountains surround

Emerald Lake. Sunlight reflects off powdered limestone in the shallow

water, creating its gemstone colour.

The nearby 260-hectare Carcross Desert is locally known as the world’s

smallest desert. Lodgepole pines punctuate the sand dunes that were

formerly a glacial lake bed. In Carcross,

we stopped for waffle ice-cream cones at Matthew Watson General Store across the road from Carcross Station. Built in 1910, it’s a designated Canadian Heritage Railway Station.

Ten minutes from the U.S./Canada border, the South Klondike Highway crossed British Columbia and took us to the 65-metre-long Yukon Suspension Bridge. The spectacular views of the raging Tutshi River, its gorge and mountains were well worth the vertigo as we traversed it. (Yes, it does sway, but it’s sturdy enough to hold 300 people.)

Gold Rush-era cityWe arrived in Skagway in time

to have lunch at the Red Onion Saloon, followed by cream puffs

at the Sweet Tooth Café. Although Skagway’s population is only about

1,000, its streets bustle with cruise ship passengers in summer because

the city is at the northernmost tip of the Inside Passage.

Strolling along the wooden boardwalk, we admired restored historic buildings

that look much like they did during the Klondike Gold Rush. The most unusual building is the 1899-vintage Arctic Brotherhood Hall, which has more than 8,800 driftwood sticks nailed to it.

The restored 1898 Railroad Depot houses the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park Visitor Center. Three blocks north, in the Trail Center, the U.S. National Parks Service and Parks Canada provide Chilkoot Trail permits and briefings. This historic route to the Yukon gold fields includes 27 kilometres in the U.S. and 26 kilometres in Canada.

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 19

TravelTravel

S.S. Klondike, a restored sternwheeler, permanently docked in Whitehorse

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Fort Selkirk

Fort Selkirk, Yukon’s earliest permanent settlement

Vintage transportationThe White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad is a tourist attraction that also brings hikers to and from the Chilkoot Trail. Built between 1898 and 1900, the narrow-gauge railway is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, a designation that it shares with the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower and the Panama Canal.

“All aboard!” shouted the conductor, as we boarded a vintage passenger coach. During the 110-kilometre journey to Carcross, announcements described the gruelling Trail of ’89 used by prospectors trekking to Klondike gold fields. As the train climbed 915 metres through tunnels, over bridges and trestles, we inhaled the pollution-free

air and photographed cascading waterfalls, turquoise lakes and snow-topped mountains.

Back in Whitehorse, we viewed other vintage modes of travel, including a mustard-yellow plane suspended from the Transportation Museum’s ceiling. We also toured the S.S. Klondike, permanently docked beside the Yukon River. The restored sternwheeler plied the river between Whitehorse and Dawson City in the early 20th century.

Abandoned trading postTwo football fields wide and 3,185 kilometres long, the Yukon is Canada’s second-longest river (after the Mackenzie). As we travelled by boat from Whitehorse to Fort Selkirk with Up North Adventures, a bald eagle observed us from a cottonwood tree. Fireweed (Yukon’s official flower) splashed patches of brilliant magenta along the riverbanks.

Our captain waited as we explored Fort Selkirk, using a free map and walking tour downloaded from the Yukon government’s website. Established as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post in the late 1800s, the community of settlers and Selkirk First Nation people existed for 60 years. It was abandoned in 1951, when new roads made steamboats to the upper Yukon River redundant.

The 40 historic buildings in Yukon’s earliest permanent settlement were both eerie and fascinating. We peered into the RCMP Detachment cabin and the sod-roofed cabin built in 1939 by

Selkirk First Nation Elder Tommy McGinty. Inside the plank-floored Baum Cabin (built 1915-1925), we found an old Singer sewing machine, a tin of Noxzema Cream, several glass bottles, chests, a wooden table and chairs.

After examining the hand-squared and dovetailed logs used in 1893 to build The Rectory to house ministers for the nearby St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, we made an amusing discovery – a wooden outhouse.

Our most poignant discovery was the Selkirk First Nation Cemetery, with more than 100 graves dating back to the late 19th century. Today, it’s a sacred place where Selkirk First Nation people come to remember their ancestors.

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Travel

S.S. Klondike, a restored sternwheeler, permanently docked in Whitehorse

Conductor stands by caboose with White Pass & Yukon Route sign

Washing pans of gravel at Claim 33 Gold Panning

Two ounces of glimmering gold

Gold feverWe admired beaded

First Nation octopus bags at the MacBride

Museum after we returned to Whitehorse.

(The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince

William and Kate visited the museum and Carcross

in September 2016.)

Stricken with gold fever after viewing MacBride’s

dazzling nugget collection, we travelled to Dawson City, a

75-minute flight northwest of Whitehorse. From the Midnight Dome

summit, we overlooked the city of 2,158 people at the confluence of the

Yukon and Klondike Rivers. During the Gold Rush, it was the largest city north of Seattle and west of Winnipeg, with a population of 30,000.

We found the largest bucket-line, wooden-hulled dredge in North America beside Bonanza Creek. For 60 years, the four-storey machine dug up earth for miners who extracted gold. Dredge No. 4 National Historic Site now rests near the spot where it stopped operating in 1960.

Prospectors still mine gold in the Yukon. About 80 mines are small family-run businesses. At Claim 33 Gold Panning, we joined other visitors leaning over water troughs, swirling pans of gravel. The owner showed us a pan containing two ounces of gold. Although we found only a few glimmering specks in our pans, we headed to a Dawson saloon to celebrate, like countless prospectors before us.

Dredge No. 4 National Historic Site

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 21

Travel

Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall

Downtown Hotel patron with Sourtoe Cocktail and certificate

Time travel Diamond Tooth Gerties, a re-created 1898 saloon, is Canada’s oldest legal gambling hall. The community reinvests all blackjack, roulette, poker and slot machine proceeds. Gertie and her high-kicking cancan girls transported us back to the Gold Rush era. The city’s wooden boardwalks, Dawson General Store and Dawson Trading Post were also straight out of a Klondike movie set.

We visited the log cabin once owned by poet Robert Service, known for verses such as The Spell of the Yukon. A costumed guide recited his poetry and shared stories about Service’s life. He told us that Robert Service once dated Pierre Berton’s mother. Today, Berton’s little white house is used by rotating writers-in-residence.

World’s most unusual cocktail “There are strange things done in the midnight sun,” wrote Robert Service. In the Downtown Hotel’s Sourdough Saloon, we witnessed one of the strangest – visitors lining up to imbibe Sourtoe Cocktails. The key ingredient is a dehydrated human toe.

As the bartender chants, “You can drink it fast. You can drink it slow – but your lips must touch the toe,” patrons swig down the cocktail to the cheers of onlookers. “The whisky was the worst part,” stated one lady. (The $10 price includes the whisky and a certificate to show disbelievers at home.)

A hotel guest guzzled down the first Sourtoe Cocktail in 1973 after a local named Captain Dick found an amputated frostbitten toe in a jar of alcohol inside a

cabin. Since then, 70,000 members have joined the Sourtoe Cocktail Club. Two have swallowed the disgusting digit, either accidently or deliberately. The penalty is a hefty $2,500 plus a lifetime ban from the bar. Sourdough Saloon eagerly accepts donated toes – especially big ones that are harder to swallow.

Did we drink Sourtoe Cocktails? No. (Ahem, the lineup was too long.) Instead, we sampled Yukon Gold and Lead Dog Ale, two of the popular beers made by Yukon Brewing in Whitehorse.

Yukon Brewing beer on tap

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Travel

Playing roulette at Diamond Tooth Gerties

“Big-as-your-head” cinnamon bun from Braeburn Lodge

Cancan dancers at Frantic Follies

Baked wild salmon at Klondike Rib and Salmon in Whitehorse

Taste of the Yukon Yukon’s diverse foods and

drinks surprised us. In Dawson City, Klondike Kate’s serves great

smoked chicken and ribs in a Gold Rush-era building. Driving

on the Klondike Highway from Dawson to Whitehorse, we stopped

at Braeburn Lodge for one of their “big-as-your-head” cinnamon buns.

We didn’t finish the icing-topped roll until breakfast the next day.

Klondike Rib and Salmon is a popular Whitehorse restaurant. The menu

includes bison steak, reindeer stew and wild elk stroganoff, which was featured

on Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here. We

enjoyed the baked wild salmon drizzled with Yukon birch syrup and Yukon Gold beer.

After a delicious fish-and-chips lunch at Coast High Country Inn, we spent our final afternoon in Whitehorse shopping for souvenirs. The choice was difficult – fireweed honey, Midnight Sun and Bean North organic, fair trade, locally roasted coffee blends, and paintings, ceramics and sculptures from Yukon Artists @ Work.

At Aroma Borealis, owner Beverley Gray enticed us with Arctic rose petal hand cream, meadow mint tea and other aromatherapy and herbal products. A welcome surprise accompanied each purchase. Yukon does not charge the 8% provincial portion of the HST – only the 5% GST.

Vaudeville showShopping finished, we

couldn’t resist the Frantic Follies at the Westmark

Whitehorse Hotel. “Yee-haw!” yelled a viewer,

when the cancan dancers kicked up their flouncy skirts

with gartered legs. (The theatre encourages audience

participation.) As a Klondike

Kate look-alike sang and banjo-players strummed toe-tapping music, we once again travelled back in time to the Gold Rush era.

It was a memorable way to end our Yukon tour.

RESOURCES

Tourism Yukon: www.travelyukon.com or call 1-800-661-0494

Barb & Ron Kroll publish the trip-planning website: www.KrollTravel.com

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 23

RV Lifestyle

Story and photos by Rex Vogel

You’ve seen lists of the top travel destinations for 2017. Some lists include such exotic spots as Croatia, Zimbabwe, Uruguay, Finland, Dominica, Rwanda, Costa Rica and Azores. But, like us, you travel by RV – and not air or sea.

There’s an incredible variety of places around Canada and the U.S. to enjoy in your RV. It’s a big world out there, even for RV travellers, so we’ve narrowed it down for you. Here are our top two RV destinations to visit this year.

TOP TWO PLACES TO VISIT IN 2017

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, TENNESSEE

The fire is out, and it’s time to play in the Smokies.

Wildfires ravaged Tennessee in the autumn of 2016, spreading through the eastern part of the state and into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Officials, fearing the worst, shut down the park indefinitely as fires raged. The resort town of Gatlinburg evacuated residents

just as one of its heaviest tourism sea-sons – Smoky Mountain Christmas – was ramping up.

Some 2,400 buildings in Sevier County were damaged or destroyed before, at last, the rains came. The firefighters won. Life returned to the Smokies just in time for the holidays. Gatlinburg will be a different place this year, but it’s still one of the finest

RV destinations. And chances are that in 2017, the locals will be ecstatic to see you. Buy a national parks pass, book a site at one of the numerous RV parks in the area, wander Gatlinburg, go hiking in the park, visit Dollywood, shop, eat in the many restaurants of Sevier County (Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg), or just drive around the Great Smoky Mountains to enjoy the view. If you want something

24 | www.snowbirds.org

really special, plan a trip in June when the firefly migration takes place – one of the only spots to see synchronous fireflies (those that can sync up their light pat-terns) in the country.

On the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains, tens of thousands of horny, synchronous fireflies put on a psychedelic fireworks show. They gather near the Elkmont Campground

(approximately six miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center), flashing simultaneously as part of a two-week mating ritual that lights up the entire forest and draws spectators from around the world. The flashes happen in short bursts and end with abrupt periods of haunting darkness. Visit between late May and mid-June, and make reservations in advance.

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CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 25

RV Lifestyle

From sea to sea, Canada is a land filled with fascinating places and amazing adventures.

With mountainous trails and isolated islands, as well as a diversity of flora and fauna, Canada offers residents and visitors alike a chance to see the wilderness as it might have been nearly 150 years ago when Canada first became a nation.

Visitors who explore and enjoy Canada’s national parks this year will get the added benefit of a free Discovery Pass admission that waives entrance fees at 46 national parks and 171 historic sites throughout the country. Travellers can acquire their free pass to the parks through the Parks Canada website.

The New York Times named Canada as the number-one place to visit in 2017, in part because of the free admission to Canada’s national parks and historic sites during the 150th-anniversary year.

National parks are among Canada’s – and the world’s – natural jewels. These wild places,

located in every province and territory, range from mountains and plains, to boreal forests and tundra, to lakes and glaciers, and much more.

National parks are located on the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic coasts, across the interior mountains and plains and Great Lakes, reach-ing as far north and south as Canada extends. They include such world-renowned names as Banff and Jasper, Cape Breton Highlands and Fundy, Pacific Rim and Yoho.

National Geographic Traveler magazine has put the Banff area on its “Best of the World” list of 21 must-see places in 2017. Picture yourself in a mountain getaway surrounded by towering peaks, untouched wilderness and turquoise lakes tucked into alpine valleys.

Founded in 1885 after the discovery of the Cave and Basin Hot Springs, Banff is Canada’s first and most famous national park. The park is a Rocky Mountain wonder, a place of blue glacial lakes and alpine meadows, massive mountains and glaciers, canyons and

waterfalls, mineral hot springs and abundant wildlife (from elk to bighorn sheep to black and grizzly bears), and breathtaking grandeur.

Banff National Park encompasses Banff and Lake Louise, Mount Norquay, Cascade Mountain, Johnston Canyon, more than a thousand glaciers, Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

Lake Louise is a glacial lake named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta and is famous for its stunning emerald water that reflects the surrounding glaciers which formed it.

Other major attractions include Banff Hot Springs Hotel, Banff Gondola, Upper Hot Springs, Bow River Loop, Banff Park Museum, Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise Gondola, and Icefields Parkway.

Jasper National Park combines some of the most spectacular scenery in the Canadian Rockies with ease of access and less-crowded conditions than Banff, its sister park to the south.

CANADA

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Wildlife is abundant, even right in the town of Jasper. Where else will you find a herd of elk grazing on the lawn?

The Jasper SkyTram whisks you up Whistler’s Mountain to an elevation of 7,472 feet for stun-ning vistas over mountain ranges stretching up to 50 miles. Explore unlimited hiking and back-country terrain in the high alpine country.

Witness the towering waterfalls at Maligne Canyon. The whirling and tumultuous water has worn the canyon, only six feet wide in some places, to a depth of more than 165 feet.

Maligne Lake is famed for the colour of its water, the surrounding peaks, the three gla-ciers visible from the lake and Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in the world.

Few summits in the park can match Mt. Edith Cavell’s craggy beauty. A small, powder-blue Angel Glacier is easily reached by a short, self-guiding trail that winds its way along the shores of the lake.

The Jasper Park Lodge, one of Canada’s luxury railway hotels, is a 700-acre, year-round luxury mountain resort which wraps around the shores of Lac Beauvert and Canada’s number-one Resort Golf Course. The resort’s village of cedar chalets and luxury cabins, all connected by picturesque paths, offer guests unique access to explore the natural environment surrounding the resort.

A winding road leads to Patricia and Pyramid lakes where fishing, picnicking, boating and hiking are popular. Rental facilities include horseback riding, boating, canoeing, wind-surfing and sailing.

The Icefields Parkway joins the two parks of Jasper and Banff in one of the most breath-taking, beautiful drives that anyone can travel in the world. A series of massive glaciers line the entire length of the Icefield Parkway, with the Columbia Icefield lying along the parkway at the southern end of Jasper National Park.

Massive ice explorers, specially designed for glacial travel, take passengers on a remarkable

excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier, where passengers can safely step out onto the glacier and stand on this powerful ancient ice. The recently opened Glacial Skywalk over the Athabasca Glacier lets you experience waterfalls, wildlife, fossils and more on an exciting cliff-edge walkway that leads to a platform where glass is all that separates you from a 918-foot drop.

The fact that you can go about anywhere just with nature and forget about the rest – that’s my favourite part. That feeling of being free is awesome.

RV Lifestyle

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.

—John Burroughs

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 27

GETTING READY FOR RISING RATESHow to protect your portfolio (and seize opportunities) in a rising interest-rate environment

Finance

By James Dolan

What are interest rates, and why do they matter?First, a refresher on why interest rates are such an important economic indicator. Interest rates measure the cost of money – that is, how much it would cost someone to “rent” a sum of money from someone else for a year (because that’s essentially what a loan is).

There are many different interest rates that meas-ure the cost of “money rental” in many different contexts (how much to take out a mortgage; how much to take out a car loan; how much to use a credit card; etc.). But the most important of these is the interest rate set by the federal government via its central bank. This is the rate which the central bank charges commercial banks and other financial institutions which, in turn, forms the foundation of the “prime rate,” the interest rate which those banks charge to their best customers (hopefully, that’s you).

The central bank uses interest rate fluctuations to control certain aspects of a nation’s economy. Want to encourage economic growth? Lower rates so that businesses will find it cheap to borrow money and expand, and consumers will borrow to spend. All that spending should (in theory) create more jobs. Is the economy growing too quickly? Raise rates and make it more expensive to borrow, which should (again, in theory) temper both the strength and the pace of economic expansion.

This is a very simplified explanation for why inter-est rates matter so much – because they have the potential to affect nearly every part of a country’s economy. And if the economy is large enough (as it is in the U.S.), those rates have the potential to affect the entire world. That’s why the Federal Reserve’s move in December was so important – because it may end up being the most important financial event of the past 36 years.

Thirty-six years is a long time. In the financial world, it’s an eternity. That’s approximately the length of time since investors have had to deal with a rising interest-rate environment. Sure, rates have “spiked” several times along the way (in 1990, 1994 and 2007). But the long-term trend has been steadily down, down, down.

That’s about to change. Late last year, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised its trend-setting interest rate – only the second time it has done so since the 2008 financial meltdown. Perhaps more important, it signalled its intention to continue to raise rates in the months to come. Needless to say, the financial world took notice.

While rising rates aren’t the end of the world, they do present investors with a very different set of macroeconomic circumstances to deal with. In much the same way as you change your coat depending on the weather forecast, it may be time to change your portfolio and prepare for the changing environment.

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Finance

The “outlook” for interest ratesIf you’re looking for an opinion regarding where interest rates are headed, you’ll have no problem finding analysts, economists, pundits, financial journalists and others who are more than willing to share their reasons why rates will do this or that in the coming months. While such argu-ments can be very persuasive, the fact remains that nobody can be 100% sure what the Fed (or other central banks) will do. Even professional economists find the direction of interest rates difficult to predict, while predicting the implications of a rate move is even more difficult. Keep that in mind whenever you read any “outlook” for rates (including this one!).

That aside, we can make some general statements about what rates will probably do. Right now, most analysts and market-watchers expect U.S. rates to rise over the next several years as the U.S. economy strengthens and the Federal Reserve gradually weans the population off of easy credit. Indeed, many economists believe that such a move is overdue – low interest rates encourage over-borrowing and a lax attitude to saving. You can see the implications of such behaviour in the financial crisis of 2007-2008.

Something else to keep in mind is that President Trump’s stated policy goals – specifically, his plan to engage in a massive nation-wide infrastructure rebuild – may well cause the prices of goods and services related to that infra-structure (everything from the price of steel or gasoline or concrete or construction labour) to rise. This, in turn, may force the Fed to raise rates faster than it otherwise

would. Will Trump actually go ahead with these plans, or is it just talk? Will such plans pass through Congress, or will they get caught up in some larger political battle? Your guess is as good as ours. But it’s certainly something to think about.

Here in Canada, the economy has up until now been considerably weaker than in the U.S., due in no small part to low oil prices. But that may be changing; economic growth has surprised to the upside over the past several quarters, which means that it’s no longer likely the Bank of Canada will cut interest rates in the months to come. Recently, Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz stated his view that the Canadian economy is likely to return to “full capacity” sooner than expected. All of which makes it a lot easier to start talking about a rate hike in the months to come.

Of course, a lot can change in a few months. So we’ll have to wait and see if these conditions are enough to shift the Bank of Canada into “raising” mode. However, from where we are now, we can be reasonably sure that the era of rock-bottom rates is coming to an end here in Canada, just as it has in the U.S. Eventually, Canadian rates will rise, just as they’ve done south of the border.

So, what (if anything) do rising rates mean for your finances? Let’s answer that question in two ways: (a) how to protect yourself from rising rates, and (b) how to profit from rising rates.

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Finance

How to protect yourself from rising ratesEvery change (financial or otherwise) brings both opportunities and risks; rising interest rates are no different. However, for retirees, it’s probably more important to talk about the risks of rising rates – wealth preservation being ultimately more important than wealth generation – and discuss how you might protect your portfolio from them.

Re-examine your bond allocationRising interest rates can wreak havoc on an investor’s fixed-income port-folio, particularly that portion of the portfolio which is invested in bonds, because the value of an existing bond typically falls when rates rise. Why? Because instead of buying an old bond at a low rate, investors can put their money into new bonds at a higher interest rate, and earn more. Basic economics tells us that when fewer people want something, the price of that “something” tends to fall.

There are a number of ways in which to deal with this problem. Trimming back some or all of your bond portfolio is a simple solution. Shifting your bond allocation to shorter-term bonds (which tend to be less affected by rate increases) is another. You could also move some of your fixed-income allocation into variable or floating-rate investments – investments whose interest pay-ments rise or fall in tandem with the central bank’s rate.

If you’ve invested in bond mutual funds or ETFs, or if your advisor has constructed a bond ladder for you, it’s possible that your professional manager has already adjusted the portfolio in anticipation of rising rates. But you’ll want to double-check with your advisor, or with the websites of any mutual funds or ETFs in which you may be invested. Over the past several years, many investors put their money into long-term bonds because of their higher yields, without thinking of what might happen if rates rise. Depending on your circumstances, now may be the time to exit or trim back such positions, and emphasize safety of principal over yield.

Take a close look at your REIT allocationIt used to be that if you wanted income (as most retirees do), you invested in government bonds. But over the past decade or so, continued low interest rates have forced many retirees and other income-oriented investors to look elsewhere for yield. One of the most popular alternatives to government bonds has been real estate investment trusts (REITs) – diversified pools of office buildings, apartments, commercial property and other forms of real estate in which investors can invest via the stock exchange. These investments generate attractive income from the rents which they charge, while offering the potential for capital gains as the REIT adds more real estate to its portfolio.

Some analysts expect REITs to fall in value over the next several years, as bonds offer higher rates – there’s simply less of a need to look for alternatives to bonds, so there will probably be less demand for REITs. Others expect REITs to revert to their traditional role in the portfolio, offering an attractive dividend yield, but not much in the way of capital appreciation. It’s a strong argument, given that a big part of the reason why many REITs rose in value was because they could borrow cheaply at low interest rates and acquire new properties – something that might not be so easy when rates move higher.

Don’t take this the wrong way – there are still plenty of reasons why REITs might belong in your portfolio. But it’s prob-ably a good idea to bring your allocation back in line with historic norms – now is probably not a time for overexposure to the sector. It may also make sense to take a pass on REITs with an aggressive acquisition strategy (a strategy that typically depends on low interest rates) and, instead, stick to high-quality names with an established history of dividend payments.

Reduce (or refinance) debtAs we discussed above, inter-est rates can have a dramatic effect on what it costs you to borrow money. If you’re cur-rently a borrower, now is the time to take a full inventory of your debts and determine how any of them may or may not be affected by rising rates.

If you have “floating rate” debt – a variable rate mortgage or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) – the interest rate on your loan will fluctuate up and down in tandem with the prime lending rate. If they rise too much, too soon, you could be forced to readjust your lifestyle just to keep up with interest payments. Bottom line: you should make an effort to pay down as much as you can now, before rates rise significantly.

If you have debt which you can’t realistically repay in a short time frame (your mort-gage is likely the prime culprit here), it makes sense to take a look at refinancing instead. Talk to your bank or mortgage broker about locking in your loan(s) at current low rates, rather than waiting for rates to creep up. Such a move could end up saving you thousands of dollars in interest over the lifetime of the loan. Just make sure to run the numbers before you pull the trigger – there are times when the penalties and other costs of refinancing far outweigh any savings you may realize.

Reduce exposure to highly leveraged business What we’ve said about your personal debt applies equally to the debt of businesses. In the months and years to come, any business with a high debt load will feel the burden of additional interest payments, and those payments will be a headwind for their profit-ability. This is not to say that they’re bad companies in and of themselves. But their stock performance will likely lag other stocks which don’t have that additional burden.

There are some industries in which debt is constantly needed to fund expansion and continued operation. Telecom companies and utilities are prime examples here, as are many resource companies that need money to explore and develop new resource properties (mines, oil fields, processing plants, etc.). Such investments don’t always do well in times of rising rates.

In other cases, there will be company-specific issues that have more to do with the decisions of management than challenges which the entire sector is facing. For example, company ABC may have taken on a big chunk of debt several years ago to acquire a competitor. Or company XYZ may have an average level of debt, but they’ll likely have to refinance it all in two years, at which time analysts expect rates to be higher. Neither of these is a big problem when interest rates are low. But if rates rise quickly, they may be an issue.

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Finance

How to seize the opportunity of rising ratesRising interest rates aren’t all bad news. Far from it. For a select group of market sectors, rising interest rates can be very good for business. Once your portfolio is protected, you may want to take a look at some of the ideas below.

Keep in mind that the following comments are general in nature – it’s up to you (and your advisor) to do your homework, and find specific securities that fit your personal risk tolerance within these overall themes.

Change is coming...The Federal Reserve has given investors a great gift – advance warning of a change. Those who ignore the coming change do so at their own peril. While there’s no way to tell how quickly rates will rise in the U.S. (or for how long), or how that rise will affect interest rates in Canada, one thing is certain: they will rise, and the investment environment will change because of it.

However, by no means are rising rates the end of the (financial) world. But they do require careful attention, and some thought as to what impact they’ll have on your personal circumstances. Over the next few months, make sure to spend some time thinking about how you can protect yourself from rising rates – and seize any opportunities that may present themselves, too. Then, speak to your financial professional about any adjustments which you may need to make to your portfolio.

FinancialsPerhaps the most obvious bene-ficiary of rising interest rates are businesses that make money from lending money, namely, banks. The higher the “spread” between the interest which they charge borrowers and the interest that they pay out on deposits, the more profit flows to the banks’ bottom line.

Remember that most of the time, rates rise because the economy is improving. When the econ-omy grows, businesses borrow to expand. Consumers buy more houses. Both businesses and consumers find it easier to repay their loans. All of this is extremely good news for those in the business of lending money.

Banks aren’t the only financial companies that benefit from rising rates. Rising rates help insurance companies earn more money on their “float” – the money which they take in as policy premiums before paying it out as settlements. Asset man-agers (brokerage firms, mutual fund companies, etc.) can also see increased profits from rising-rate environments because rising rates often go hand in hand with periods of market strength and rising investor confidence.

Industrials and consumer discretionary stocksThese sectors are cyclical – their performance tends to wax and wane in line with the health of the overall economy. Historically, stocks in these sectors have shown a strong correlation to interest rates, making them good choices in times such as these.

The reason is pretty simple: these kinds of businesses tend to sell more products when consumers feel confident in making a purchase. Unlike, say, toothpaste or allergy medication (which consumers need no matter what the over-all economy is doing), many people can put off purchases such as cars, appliances or new homes until they feel more confident about their finances. The same goes for industrial businesses selling new equipment to other businesses.

If you believe in the underlying story of economic growth in the U.S., then it makes sense that such economically sensi-tive sectors stand to benefit in the months to come.

Small-caps (especially U.S. small-caps)Most small-cap stocks (generally stocks with a market capitalization anywhere between $300 million and $2 billion) are businesses that are focused primarily on domestic markets – this is particularly true of U.S. small-caps. Such businesses are most likely to benefit from a strengthening U.S. econ-omy, which is typically the backdrop for rising interest rates.

Keep in mind that such stocks can be consider-ably more volatile than larger companies. If you’re interested in investing in them, it makes sense to do your homework, or hire a professional manager (via a small-cap mutual fund or ETF) to do it for you. Even then, you’ll want to limit your small-cap exposure to a small portion of your portfolio – say, between 10% and 15%, depending on your risk tolerance.

TechnologyAnother sector which typically benefits during times of rising interest rates is technology, particularly the larger, more mature technology stocks. The main reason is that technology is generally considered to be tied to overall economic growth. When businesses are expanding, they buy more of the “tools” which they need to help them grow and these days, technology is one of those tools. Conversely, when those busi-nesses aren’t expanding, they tend to cut back their IT budgets and make do with what they have.

Another reason is because many software, technology and computer equipment busi-nesses don’t necessarily require large capital infusions in order to expand. In fact, most mature high-tech companies hold very little debt at all, making them somewhat immune to the higher interest rates that can some-times drive heavily indebted companies under water (see above). Even better, higher interest rates mean that they can earn more money on the billions in cash which they hold in reserve (as companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Cisco, Google/Alphabet and Oracle typically do). Unless you’re a veteran stock-picker, the best way to invest in technology stocks is through a diversified mutual fund or ETF portfolio. Such an investment is an easy and affordable way to invest in several sub-sectors of the broader technology industry (Internet companies; software; IT services; hardware & storage; semiconductors; etc.), while allowing you to spread risk and minimize volatility.

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 31

Health

During our recent tour with the annual winter shows sponsored by the CSA, I was told or asked my opinion by a number of attendees at the shows

about the merits of a home remedy for their particular ailment. In many cases, I had heard such stories over the years, but some were new to me and required my further research into whether or not the remedy was myth or fact.

At the time of my graduation in medicine, much of my training was what my teachers had done for years and was the “going practice.” Over the years, proper objective scientific testing of various treatments and medications has evolved, resulting in far better medical evidence as to whether or not the particular therapy is actually effective and safe.

When a youngster, I was often treated with mustard plasters for a chest infection, total bed rest when sick, occasionally (when sick) an enema to remove “the poisons” and, of course, aspirin for any fever. Today we know from evi-dence-based research that some such practices were useless and, in the case of aspirin in children and teenagers with fevers, in rare cases potentially fatal (Reye’s Syndrome).

When I first started a general practice in a village in Ontario, I inherited many senior female patients who would attend monthly for their injection of vitamin B12. None of them had ever heard of pernicious anaemia, the only justifiable medical condition requiring such treatment. They were all convinced that they needed it because their previous doctor had recommended that it was necessary – and they felt better. More than a few left the practice after I had reassured them that they did not need it, based on their negative tests I had done for pernicious anaemia.

Another number of regular attendees (at least at first) were healthy male patients who came in to my pharmacy for their monthly supply of vitamin E to prevent the onset of heart attack and heart disease, a common myth not realized for many years by both patients and doctors. Over the years, I learned that both patients and doctors sometimes erro-neously relied on treatments or preventives advocated by “experts” without the backing of objective, evidence-based research. Even today, certain remedies or treatments that are pursued with or without prescription are still popular, even though reputable documented studies have proven them to be either ineffective or in fact risky.

MEDICAL CURESMyth or Fact?

by Robert MacMillan MD

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One of the main reasons people continue to pursue a particular remedy in spite of documented benefit being minimal or totally lacking is the so-called “placebo effect.” Numerous studies have shown that symptoms can be somewhat relieved in almost all medical conditions when the person consuming the remedy has a belief in the particular therapy. This has been proven to be especially effective in many patients with depression and Parkinson’s disease. Complex anatomical, psychological and biochemical factors are believed to be responsible for this effect. If the remedy is safe and affordable, such therapy should be considered by practitioners as a recognizable benefit, being cautious about discrediting a safe and inexpensive relief for their symptoms. However, in the case of taking products to prevent certain diseases, one must not rely on trying out the product simply on the theory that it might work, but by thoroughly researching to confirm the likelihood of positive and safe results, and doing so with a physician’s advice.

Nevertheless, some individuals continue to advocate sometimes expensive “cures” for illnesses where evidence-based research has shown no therapeutic value. This misinformation can be promulgated by practitioners and establishments thriving on the sale of such products or the many books or videos written to

promulgate their views and products. Buyer beware! Although the Internet is now a ready source of expert reputable information on medical conditions and treatments, a large number of unreliable, unknown and totally irresponsible sites thrive. Seeking advice from your personal physician or specialist regarding treatments is still your most reliable source. If you do use the Internet, learn the names of renowned sites such as government health sites, the Mayo and Cleveland Health Centers, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and others which your health advisers recommend.

Magnetic BraceletsThe promulgation of wearing magnetic metals for medicinal purposes goes back to Renaissance times, when it was believed that bracelets or other pieces of metal would ward off disease, prevent infections and alleviate pain. With the advancement of medicine in the 19th century, such practice was largely aban-doned until a single researcher in 1970 said that he had proven them to kill malignant cells, treat infertility and relieve arthritis pain. Although an abundance of subsequent research has proven no effect whatsoever in curing or preventing any disease and having no more than placebo effect in managing pain, the sale of such bracelets is still a thriving industry.

Health

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 33

Health

MEDICAL CURESMyth or Fact?

Vitamin C for ColdsFor years, it has been advocated by many that taking daily supplements of vitamin C will prevent colds. An extensive reputable study in 1970 confirmed other studies showing that taking a daily dose of 200 mg or more of vitamin C daily had no effect in preventing colds, but very slightly shortened cold duration by 8% in adults and 14% in children. When vitamin C was taken after a cold started, there was no effect in shortening the duration or severity of the cold.

Coconut OilAdvocates promulgating the beneficial effects of con-suming or applying coconut oil claim that it helps with weight loss, improving brain function (especially in Alzheimer’s disease), treating seizure disorders, improving cholesterol levels, killing harmful organisms and curing many skin conditions. Unfortunately, at this time, most of this information arises from word of mouth and lacks good scientific proof of any value. In fact, the American Heart Association states that we should limit our intake of saturated fat to no more than 13 grams a day, the amount found in just one tablespoon of coconut oil. No good evidence is available for its value in weight reduc-tion or other conditions. As with many non-prescription substances, there is evidence of some benefit for certain skin conditions.

Non-Prescription Dietary Supplements for Mind and MemoryHealth food stores and pharmacies have a wide array of natural products such as folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6, along with herbal supplements such as ginkgo biloba, fish oil, coconut oil and other products purporting to boost brain function and improve memory. According to publications from the Harvard Medical School, most of these products lack solid scientific evidence to prove whether they are safe or do anything to help. As with all such products that are non-prescription in Canada and the United States, these over-the-counter items do not undergo the strict evaluation process that is required for prescription drug approvals. Even their advertisements which imply such benefits are not strictly challenged. In both printed publications and those on television, ads for such products in the U.S. are required to state, “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food

and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” Usually the print is so small or the televised warning is so quick, few will notice it. As with all non-prescription “remedies,” you should consult your own physician about potential benefits and possible side-effects, especially since there may be reaction with drugs that you are already taking.

Onions in Your SocksAnother theory emanating from the Middle Ages was that spreading onions around the dwelling would ward off the plague. This evolved through time to the recommendation of putting the onions in your socks at bedtime. When the discovery of bacteria demonstrated the cause of infection, the theory changed to advocate that onions cure disease by absorbing toxins, even though there’s no scientific evidence that it does, or that it has any effect whatsoever in warding off flu or any infection…another myth from the past.

Soap in the Bed for Leg CrampsAside from the placebo effect, this remedy for the many persons who suffer from nocturnal leg cramps has been analyzed for many years without any definitive evidence that it works. Nevertheless, there are those who swear by it, confirming that their agonizing attacks are either greatly reduced or eliminated. There is little agreement regarding any preferred soap or where it is placed under the bed sheets but, for thousands of advocates, it works. More research is necessary to determine if there is, in fact, some biochemical explanation for this benefit or whether the person’s faith in the remedy serves to alleviate or eradicate the symptoms.

These are only a few of the numerous home remedies promoted most often by those who are profiting from their advocacy. Using the Internet to research the effect-iveness of various remedies must be done very carefully since reputable sources for information are not nearly as prevalent as the many commercial sites advertising their effectiveness. If you are contemplating a home remedy, do your research and consult your doctor. If you try one for symptoms of a particular medical condition, if it’s safe and affordable and you experience relief, few should discourage you.

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Health Pulse

BETTER THAN STATINS? A new class of lipid-lowering drugs

Statins aren’t going anywhere. Millions of people rely on them to reduce their levels of LDL cholesterol and risk of heart attack. However, some people don’t respond to these medications and others can’t tolerate their side-effects.

Enter PCSK9 inhibitors, a new class of cholesterol-lowering drugs that help move LDL from the blood to the liver. Less LDL in the blood equals less risk of cardiovascular damage. When combined with statins, PCSK9 inhibitors have been shown to lower LDL levels by up to 60% more than statins alone.

PCSK9 inhibitors don’t come cheap and they’re taken by injection, so you shouldn’t think of them as a first resort. However, if you can’t reach your lipid targets with standard therapies, PCSK9 inhibitors could bridge the gap – and possibly help you dodge a heart attack. The evidence looks good so far; early results suggest that these drugs could lower cardiovascular event rates by half.

Note: Repatha and Praluent, two drugs in the class, were approved in the U.S. in 2015 and in Canada in 2016.

Source: Health after 50

Easy ways to go easy on the salt – if you need toMedical advice about sodium used to be simple – salt is bad, use it less – but newer studies are painting a more nuanced picture. Last year, researchers at McMaster University crunched the data on salt consumption, heart attacks and strokes in more than 130,000 people from 49 countries. Their conclusion? People on a low-salt diet had more heart attacks and strokes than those with average salt consumption.

This doesn’t mean that you keep flooding your sushi with soy sauce, especially if you have high blood pressure. According to the study investi-gators, people with normal blood pressure tend to be more “salt-resistant,” meaning that salt has little effect on their blood pressure. People with hypertension, on the other hand, are likely “salt-sensitive” and would do well to cut back.

Salt-sensitive or not, most of us consume two, or even three times as much salt as we need. These painless strategies can help you curb the habit – and the cravings:

• Eat more fresh or frozen vegetables and fruit.

• Cut down on prepared and processed foods.

• Look for lower-sodium products (e.g. cheese, soy sauce, crackers).

• When cooking, add less salt than usual. The next time, add still less.

• Go crazy with the seasonings – strong flavours such as lemon, ginger, basil and other herbs can make up for the lack of salt, and then some.

• When eating out, find out if the menu has any lower-sodium options – or request substitutions such as oil and vinegar on your salad in lieu of prepared dressing.

Source: the Lancet

CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS which you’ve probably never heard about

There’s no reason to accept “hard of hearing” as a symptom of aging. Here are five lesser-known risk factors that you have some power to control.

• Being overweight: Who knew? The higher your BMI, the greater your risk of hearing loss, according to a 2013 study. What’s more, the most active subjects had a 17% lower risk of hearing loss than the least active. You know what to do.

• High blood pressure: In a recent study of older adults, 54% of those with significantly elevated blood pressure had hearing loss, compared to just 18% of those with normal blood pressure.

• Iron-deficiency anemia: A report published in late 2016 suggests that iron-deficiency anemia may contribute to hearing loss.

• Heavy-metal contaminants: Even low levels of lead may raise the risk of age-related hearing loss, and cadmium may have a similar effect. To minimize exposure, use cold water for drinking and cooking, and run the water for 15-30 seconds before using it.

• Medications: About 200 medications can damage hearing. In many cases (e.g. Aspirin, ibuprofen) the damage doesn’t last, but some antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent harm. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives.

Source: Health after 50

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Fitness by Jennifer Cox

Before you begin any new workout routine, consult your doctor. Review your home gym equipment with him/her to ensure that you’re capable of using these products.

home gym essentialsTOP 5

Joining a gym isn’t always feasible. It can be expensive, and it can be difficult to make the time to get to the gym, which is why it’s great to have a gym right in your own home. However, you need to have the right equipment in order to optimize the at-home exercise experience. So here are the top five home gym essentials which you need for a full-body workout.

Free weightsYou can get individual dumbbells and use a stackable rack to store them, however adjustable weights are great because they take up less room. You want to be able to increase the amount of weight that you are working with as you get stronger and more fit so, if you go the individual route, make sure that you have a variety of weights.

EXERCISES: Use weights to do curls (for stronger arms) and lunges (for stronger legs and core).

Resistance bandsResistance bands are fantastic for strengthening both bones and muscles. They are ideal to help improve flexibility, co-or-dination and balance, as well as to reduce joint pain. They are also lightweight and portable, meaning that you can take them with you (on vacation, for example).

EXERCISES: Secure the band under one foot and, with your arm on the same side, use the band to pull up – the resistance will help you build muscle. Do this 10-15 times. Repeat on the other side. Or, tie one end of the resistance band to an ankle and the other end to a very secure item behind you. Sit with your legs bent at a 90-degree angle and extend your leg in front of you. Do this 10-15 times. Repeat on the other side.

Stability ballA stability ball can make a whole-body workout more fun because there are a variety of exercises you can do with it. Build up your balance, stability and core, all with one tool.

EXERCISES: One great workout is to sit on the stability ball with your feet planted firmly on the floor about shoul-der-length apart, lift one bent knee up to your chest and then put it down. Make sure that you are very balanced when doing this. Do this 10-15 times. Repeat with the other foot. Medicine ball

This weighted ball is often used by athletes for different exercises, however it can be great for seniors, too. It can provide resistance during a workout, build bone density, strengthen muscles and improve co-ordination.

EXERCISES: Sit in a chair with your feet planted firmly on the floor about shoulder-length apart. Hold the ball in both hands and raise over your head, then bend your arms to bring the ball back behind your head. Do this 10-15 times (or fewer, until you build up more strength).

Step deckAdjustable step decks will help get the cardio portion of your workout into your regimen. It can also help strengthen your legs, lower back and core.

EXERCISES: Start by simply marching up and down the step deck at a lower height. Then, as you become more proficient in working with a step deck, you can add height to it. Or, you can change your routine from marching to a faster pace of hopping on and off the platform.

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by Jennifer Cox Longevity

As a girl who’s almost six feet tall, I wasn’t thrilled with the studies

I found saying that the taller you are, the shorter you’ll live (my above-average height has caused a few hindrances in my life, espe-cially when it comes to clothes shopping, and now it might mean that I will have a shorter life too? Ack!).

There are a lot of things that are connected to how long we live, and we’ve been exploring them in this column for almost three years. It seems pretty clear why things such as green tea, superfoods, sleep and compan-ionship will help to contribute to a longer life, but who knew that a predisposition such as your height could impact how many birthdays you have?!

Over the last 100 years, studies have provided mixed results regarding the mortality and health of tall and short people (says sciencedirect.com, a site that publishes scientific studies). However, during the last 30 years, several researchers have found a negative correlation between greater height and longevity based on relatively homogeneous deceased population samples.

Findings based on millions of deaths suggest that shorter, smaller bodies have lower death rates and fewer diet-related chronic diseases, especially past middle age. Shorter people also appear to have longer average lifespans in general.

In 2013, a team of researchers led by Geoffrey Kabat of Albert Einstein College of Medicine

published a study showing that each additional four inches of height increases the risk of all types of cancer by 13 per cent among post-menopausal women (Slate.com). Shocking, right?

The same study also looked at how individual diseases are more common among tall people. American women taller than 5’ 6” suffer recurrent blood clots at a higher rate than shorter women and, in certain cases, taller people have been shown to suffer from more respiratory and cardiovascular problems. And then there’s cancer – height is associated with greater risk for most kinds of cancer, except for smoking-induced malignancies.

So today, researchers have con-cluded that taller people do, in fact, live shorter lives (darn!).

However, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, when studies on height and longevity started more than a century ago, researchers believed that taller people actually lived longer. In the early 20th century, height was indeed a reflection of better nutrition and hygiene, which increased longevity. However, once the studies were limited to other-wise homogeneous populations, a consensus emerged that short people are longer-lived (Slate).

While we can’t do much about genetics (if you’re tall, you’re tall – there’s nothing that can change that), we can help to increase our lifespan by paying attention to other factors (things which we have looked at in previous arti-cles). Diet, sleep, physical activity and stress all contribute to our

overall health, and can therefore have a pretty major impact on how long we live.

So, if you’re on the taller spec-trum of the scale (ahem), perhaps you’ll need to take extra care of yourself, especially into older age. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, get seven-eight hours of sleep, exercise on a regular basis (cardio as well as strength training) and keep stress levels lower (maybe it’s time to retire from that high-stress job). All of these things can help you add years to your life, whether you’re five feet tall or seven!

LONGEVITY AND HEIGHT

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 37

Book Review

Robert Wiersema

THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUBby Will Schwalbe

A t first, the book club didn’t have a name. It didn’t really need one. In fact, it was barely a book club at

all, with only two members – Mary Anne Schwalbe and her son Will – and a casual, but regular schedule. It did have a mandate, though: the members would meet to talk about books, and life, during Mary Anne’s treatment for aggressive pancreatic cancer.

When Will Schwalbe wrote about his mother and their shared experiences of books, the world came to know their meetings as The End of Your Life Book Club. The book, pub-lished in 2012, became a bestseller and an international sensation; people were drawn to Schwalbe’s stories of his mother’s last days, her life and experiences, and the books which they shared. And rightly so. The End of Your Life Book Club is a wonderful read, graceful and wise, sad but uplifting, and affirming in the way of only the best books.

With his new book, Books for Living, Schwalbe builds on his experience of reading with his mother, and on a lifetime immersed in books (including a career in various parts of the publishing industry). He also shifts away somewhat from the personal; while in The End of Your Life Book Club the focus embra-ces the story of the end of his mother’s life, Books for Living is focused, as you might have guessed, on the books themselves (although the personal does creep in, as it does with any reading experience).

“The book you are reading now is a manifesto of sorts,” Schwalbe writes in the introduc-tion. “My manifesto, a manifesto for readers.

Because I think we need to read and to be readers now more than ever.” What follows is a collection of books which will help readers navigate “our modern world, with all its noise and distractions.”

Don’t let the earnestness of that explanation put you off, though. This isn’t a simple re-hash of why we should read the classics, or a collec-tion of books that are good for you. “Some are undoubtedly among the great works of our time,” Schwalbe writes, adding, “others almost certainly are not.”

This eclectic approach makes for an often-sur-prising selection of titles. Schwalbe recom-mends Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, a recognized classic, alongside Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train, a contemporary bestseller. Haruki Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, a very personal non-fiction title from the Japanese cult writer, alongside Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince, a surreal classic most often found in the children’s section. It’s clear that Schwalbe isn’t evaluating the books according to some academic standard or arbitrary notion of “quality.” Rather, like his conversations with his mother in the first book, the titles have been chosen for the lessons which they can impart. Thus, his commentary on David Copperfield concerns ‘remembering’, while the discussion of The Girl on the Train is about ‘trusting’. Not surprisingly, Schwalbe’s analysis of The Little Prince concerns ‘finding friends’, while the fact that his take-away from Murakami’s account of distance running and training concerns ‘napping’ is both amusing and well-argued. (I agree, for the record – I’m far more likely to nap than run a marathon).

The result is a book that feels like a conversa-tion. Schwalbe’s summaries and analyses will force you to re-examine your perceptions of books with which you are familiar, and will encourage you to explore titles that you have not yet read. In that way, Books for Living serves as a literal expansion of the book club which readers explored in The End of Your Life Book Club. Now, membership is no longer limited to Schwalbe and his mother; anyone can join, and should. Reading Books For Living – and the books that it recommends – could enrich and change your life.

38 | www.snowbirds.org

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Golf

By David McPherson

As I write my latest column, it’s officially the first day of spring. After

a month of Mother Nature show-ing her many moods, the birds are chirping and that “tradition unlike any other” – The Masters – is only a couple of weeks away. What these signs and signifiers of the changing of the seasons mean is that golf in the northern hemisphere is not too far off. What better time to ruminate on the rules, as one readies for your first tee time.

The first known Rules of Golf were drawn up in 1744 in Edinburgh for the world’s first ‘open’ golf competition at Leith by the Gentlemen Golfers of Edinburgh, who would go on to become The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.

Referred to as ‘The Articles and Laws at Playing Golf ’ – there were 13 principles outlined in this document. In 1952, the rules became uniform worldwide as the USGA and the R&A joined forces to issue a single rule book. Decade by decade, the rule book grew. By 1970, it was 75 pages comprising about 18,000 words. By 2003, it was 132 pages, in smaller type, comprising nearly 40,000 words. Just look at the size of this tome and you see where the confusion begins. These are not like the rules for your favourite board game, which you can scan and learn in minutes. Even veteran links’ lovers, after a lifetime of golfing, still struggle to comprehend the sport’s rigid rule book.

Today, The Rules are updated

every four years through the work of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland and the United States Golf Association (USGA). A joint committee of these associations, on which the Rules Chairman of Golf Canada sits, is charged with revising, modernizing and improving the Rules of Golf and the Decisions on the Rules of Golf. These two documents form the complete Rules of Golf that are used uni-versally throughout the world of golf.

It’s amazing to discover that there are only 34 rules that govern golf. The reality is that within those 34 guidelines, are myriad sub-rules and sub-sub rules written in a language that is far from plain language. No wonder few in the game (including the six million

Ruminations from the Rough The Rules of Golf

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Rule: noun. 1 One of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct or procedure within a particular area of activity. ‘Competition was artificial, and took place according to codes of rules and the conventions of fair play.’

- Oxford English Dictionary

40 | www.snowbirds.org

Canadians who golf, and even PGA TOUR pros) understand and know all of the rules. It’s a complicated game with a com-plex set of rules to govern its play.

I respect the rules, but who amongst us doesn’t bend or adjust them a bit when playing with friends. There are no gimmes or mulligans in the Rules of Golf; yet, I’m sure most of you reading this are guilty of allowing at least one of these freebies to you or your playing partner during the course of a recent round.

From the definition for rule, printed at the start of this column, I want to focus on the following phrase: “understood regulations.” That’s the issue with The Rules of Golf. They are written, published and collected in a binding docu-ment by the governing bodies; yet, few people really understand half of these rules or the logic behind their creation. Ironic, isn’t it, for a sport that has trad-itionally prided itself on players calling penalties on themselves.

How can you call a penalty if you don’t even understand the exact penalty for each situation which you encounter? Even PGA TOUR pros don’t know or grasp all of the sub-rules that the governing bodies have created. Look at recent examples of TOUR play-ers getting assessed strokes for infractions which they didn’t even know they committed. For example, the issue of whether a player caused his ball to move. This one came to a head in heated public debate at the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont when the

USGA ruled that current World No.1 Dustin Johnson was “more likely than not,” or 51 per cent certain, to have caused his ball to move slightly on Oakmont’s lightning-like greens. Johnson was assessed a one-shot penalty after the round. While it didn’t affect the outcome, players and fans blasted the USGA for issuing what was perceived an unfair ruling.

Growing up chasing the little white ball around the fairways – and more often the rough – as a junior at Stanley Thompson’s wonderful layout in Kitchener, Ont. (Westmount Golf & Country), I learned the rules by osmosis – absorbing them from the pros at the club, my dad, fellow players and other members. I recall the father of one of my best friends, who was a rules fanatic and well-versed in the minutiae of golf ’s guidelines, telling me whenever I broke a rule such as putting the ball with my back to the hole or some other infraction. As a cocky lad, I scoffed at these lectures on the tee. How dare he ruin my fun by citing some idiotic and unfair rule? Today, as I’ve matured – even if my game remains about the same as when I was a teen – I’ve grown to have more respect for the rules. This doesn’t mean that I understand some of them any more; some still make me shake my head.

The good news is that golf ’s governing bodies review these regulations every four years and the most recent ones were just announced this past March. The Joint Rules Committee, made

up of representatives from the USGA, R&A and a Golf Canada delegate, promised sweep-ing clarification of the rules. Following months of feedback and revisions, a new code will be published and implemented on Jan. 1, 2019 – a year earlier than expected. The 30 proposed changes unveiled this past March are designed to make more con-sistent, fair and straightforward rules that are easier for players and officials to understand and to apply. The changes span a wide range of issues – from ground-ing a club in a penalty area, to determining if a ball moved, to repairing damage on greens, to relaxing dropping procedures.

One of those that always drove me nuts and, I felt, punished you for something that had nothing to do with you, was the fact that if your ball landed in a divot, you had to play it as it lay. C’mon. To me, that was far too penal for a game that is already difficult enough for the average player. This is being addressed in the suggested change: Players are entitled to free relief from an embedded lie anywhere (save for the bunker), unless limited to the fairway by a local rule.

Another pair of proposed amendments that I applaud is these 1) the search time for lost balls is three minutes, not five; and 2) in an attempt to improve pace of play at the recreational level, the governing bodies are encouraging ready golf; allowing putts to be holed with the flag-stick in; and recommending an alternative form of stroke play

with a double-par maximum score. I’ve written in this column before about slow play. Any effort to speed up the game is welcome news.

No matter which of these amend-ments is adopted, I’m sure that golfers globally will still be a wee bit confused when it comes to the rules. At least these changes show that the governing bodies are making an effort and trying to address the concerns of the average golfer by evolving the guidelines to meet the needs of current and future generations. Now that’s a movement I can get behind.

For more information, or to brush up on the principles that govern this grand old game, visit: golfcanada.ca/rules-of-golf

To download a PDF of the rules online: s3.amazonaws.com/ golfcanada/app/uploads/ golfcanada/production/2017/02/ 23122910/2016-RULES-OF-GOLF-Final-single-pages.pdf

For those looking to get a good grasp on the rules, I suggest the more reader-friendly book which a pair of lawyers from the Lone Star State published 13 years back (The Rules of Golf in Plain English). The text, now in its fourth printing, is approved by the USGA and one of the authors (Jeff Kuhn) is a top-rated rules official. The other, Bryan Garner, is a renowned expert in reducing legalese to something understandable by any layman.

Golf

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 41

Food & Drink

by Shari Darling

For more information on wine and food, go to www.sharidarling.com

Meringue Summer Madness!

Meringue desserts are light and sophisticated, and they always rise to festive, summer occa-

sions such as outdoor family barbecues, anniversary and wedding parties.

Italian meringue is made with sugar syrup heated to 236°F to 240°F and then grad-ually drizzled into already formed soft meringue peaks. Its stability and smooth texture make this meringue a delicious choice for a whole array of desserts, including butter-creams and mousses.

French meringue is considered the least stable until baked. However, it is certainly the easiest to prepare. Sugar is gradually beaten into egg whites a little at a time, once soft peaks have already formed. It is best to use superfine sugar or a mixture of superfine sugar and confectioners’ sugar. French meringue is usually spooned or piped into different forms, including dessert shells, such as vacherins. It is also used in cake layers and/or topped with fruit, mousse or whipping cream.

French meringue can also be folded into batter for desserts, such as sponge cake and ladyfingers.

If prepared with love and care, Swiss meringue can be fluffier than its French cousin and is made with the same ratio of ingredients. The secret? Warm the egg whites and sugar over a “gently sim-mering warm-water bath.” And don’t touch it! Patience is the secret here! When the sugar is completely dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and whip until stiff, fluffy and shiny. Use this style of meringue for cookies, Swiss butter-cream, Pavlova, and for lemon meringue pie.

Sugar-free and low-glycemic versions of meringue can be successfully prepared. Doing so requires some experimentation, trial and error to get the consistency, stability and texture that you desire. Use powdered erythritol in place of white sugar in French meringue. Be sure to add cream of tartar and a pinch of salt to the mixture. In Italian versions, the sugar syrup can be replaced with maple syrup.

Looking to prepare perfect meringue? Here are a few secrets: • Refrain from using aluminum bowls,

as these will turn the meringue grayish in colour.

• Carefully separate one egg at a time into two stainless steel bowls. This way, you can avoid a broken yolk contam-inating the whole bowl of egg whites.

• Crack the eggs carefully to avoid any fat or eggshell shard from going into the whites.

• Use a flat surface (rather than the side of the bowl) to crack the eggs to ensure success. A bit of fat can deflate the fluffiness of the whole meringue.

• Work with cold eggs, as they are easier to separate.

• Once separated, let the whites stand, covered, at room temperature for about 30 minutes before beating.

• Always add the sugar or syrup slowly into already formed soft peaks for most recipes (with the exception of our frozen recipe below!).

• Also add flavourings sparingly and to already formed soft peaks.

42 | www.snowbirds.org

Food & Drink

Quick and Easy Frozen Strawberry MeringueServes 4 to 6

Crust

1 cup graham crumbs

2 tbsp. sugar

¼-cup butter, melted

½-cup finely chopped pecans (I use a small food chopper)

Filling

2 cups frozen, no sugar added, whole strawberries (thawed)*

1 cup sugar

2 large egg whites

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. vanilla

Dash salt

½-cup whipping cream

*Strawberries can be substituted with blue-berries. Stay away from fruits with low juice, fibre or seeds.

Preheat oven to 325 F. Bake combined crust ingredients in a 10-inch spring-form pan for 10 minutes. Let cool.

In a bowl, combine strawberries, sugar, egg whites, lemon juice, vanilla and salt. With an electric hand mixer, beat until mixture is thick and soft peaks form.

In another bowl, beat cream and fold it into the berry mix. Pour the new mixture into your cooled crust and freeze overnight.

To serve, whip the cream to soft peaks. Decorate each slice of frozen strawberry meringue with a hefty dollop of whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

You can make this summer dessert days ahead.

Wine suggestion: Remember that your dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert. Pair this dessert with a small, chilled glass of Cabernet Franc icewine.

*Must request AT PAR when making reservations; available 7 days a week, based on availability. Payment made in US Dollars or US credit card (other fees may apply if using Canadian credit card); Does not apply to other package rates or any other special promotion. Cannot be combined with other promos or discounts.

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CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 43

CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin

Amazon Echo$179.99

While Alexa is the default watchword that you use to wake Amazon’s home assistant up in order to issue a command, it can be changed. “Computer” is one of the few options for any Star Trek fans out there.

Alexa comes packed with a bunch of features out of the box. She can do simple web searches, keep a shopping list, give you the weather, set timers and reminders, give you a morning rundown of the news and weather or even book stuff to your calendar and more.

With a little initial setup and a subscription to Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, etc., Echo can play just about any song, playlist, album or genre you like. “Alexa, play top 40s” or “Alexa, play upbeat rock music,” for example. TuneIn Radio lets you listen live to any of your favourite radio stations.

One of the things that can really help Alexa earn her keep is that she can learn new “skills.” Skills are analogous to apps on a smartphone or tablet; the good ones greatly enhance the experience and Alexa’s own usefulness, and also feel like a

natural extension of the platform. The Uber and Lyft skills, for example, let you call for a ride, Pizza Hut and Domino’s let you order your favourite pizza by simply saying “Alexa, ask Domino’s to place my easy order.” Jeopardy J6 gives you six new questions every weekday across various Jeopardy categories. Responses in the form of a question, please.

While Alexa can do a lot in Canada, she’s defin-itely more at home in the States which, it bears mentioning, is the only place where you can easily buy one retail. In addition to the Echo – the $180 speaker that’s capable of filling a room with sound – there’s the less expensive, but no less useful Echo Dot. This $50 puck-like mini speaker is perfect for a bedroom or anywhere else you don’t need a big, loud speaker.

There’s an Alexa app that runs on your computer, tablet or smartphone, but you only really use it to do the initial setup or to change some of Echo’s deeper settings and options. Everything happens with your voice and Echo’s own smarts; it’s rare that you need to touch the app.

A Little Help Around the HouseLook at any spaceship in any bit of science fiction.

Do you see anyone typing on a computer? No. They may hit buttons on some array or screen, but it

looks nothing like the QWERTY keyboard we’re used to.

In the future, it’s all voice commands, all the time. “Tea, Earl Grey, hot.” “Set a course for the Omicron Theta system and engage at warp 5.” “Open the pod bay doors please, HAL.” Let’s forget I mentioned that last one.

Proving the point that we live in the future: It’s technology that’s available today. Voice control, I mean. Not replica-tors, warp drive or sentient computers that turn on us.

Today, you can buy a relatively inexpensive little device

that connects to your home Internet and any smart gear which you may already have in the house, allowing you to issue voice commands. “Dim the living room lights to 50%,” if you have invested in Philips Hue light bulbs or similar. “Set the main floor temperature to 22 degrees Celsius,” if you’ve got a Nest, EcoBee or other smart thermostat. You can get the day’s weather, find out what’s on your calendar for the day, add stuff to your shopping list or do basic web searches. For example, my assistant just told me that 22° Celsius is 71.6° Fahrenheit…in case you were hung up on that.

At present, there are two main contenders for the home voice assistant crown. Google with Home and Amazon with Alexa.

44 | www.snowbirds.org

Google Home$129.99

Google’s assistant doesn’t have a name, as such. You wake her up by saying “OK, Google” or “Hey, Google.” It doesn’t make her any less anthropomorphic (as evidenced by the fact that I seem to keep calling her “her” instead of “it”).

Like Amazon’s Echo, you can set alarms or timers, get conversions (“what is 16 fluid ounces in millilitres,” for example) and do all sorts of fun and useful things such as roll a die or flip a coin, play an album, artist, genre, specific song or a radio station, see what movies are playing at your local theatre, etc.

Google Home doesn’t perform “skills,” as such, but she is more skilled out of the box, with access to the massive amounts of knowledge to which Google connects us. Things such as what the traffic looks like

along a route you travel often – “OK, Google. What does the traffic look like today?” There are a ton of questions which Home can answer: What time is it in (location), how much is 100 euros in dollars, how do you spell ‘oligarchy,’ and many more. Never mind the fact that the Echo can answer many of the same questions.

Where Google Home wins out is in her situational awareness, allowing for followup questions. For example, you could ask Home to play a particular artist and then ask what album the song you’re hearing is from, when it came out, what other albums the artist released and so on. Or, ask if a certain movie is playing at your local theatre and follow up with questions about the cast of said movie.

Do you need a home assistant?Need is a strong word, of course. I can say that Amazon’s Alexa has been a very welcome addition to the kitchen, which is where she lives in our home. It’s now second nature to ask her to set a timer or add something to the shopping list (which is almost instantly synced to the shopping lists on our respective smartphones). Every morning, I ask her for the weather so I can see if today is a bike-commuting kind of day or if I’d better make other arrangements. I get my flash news briefing every morning, too.

Need? Maybe not. Should you get one anyway? I’d argue that if any of this stuff sounds enjoyable and/or useful then yeah, you should. Start out with the Echo Dot; it’s a small investment with a great return.

CSA Online

Hidden commandsIn addition to the host of useful stuff which the Echo and Home can do, there’s a bunch of fun, hidden features that make these assistants entertaining to have around. Half of the fun is exploring to find features on your own. Here are a few to get started.

OK, Google/Alexa:

“Open the pod bay doors.”

“Tea, Earl Grey, hot.”

“Flip a coin.”

“What does the fox say?”

“Make me a sandwich.”

“Are you Skynet?”

“Are we friends?”

“What do you think of Google Home/Amazon Alexa?”

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 45

CSA Application

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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Canadian Snowbird Association 1-800-265-3200 www.snowbirds.org

180 LESMILL ROAD, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA M3B 2T5

Source code: E102REV. 08/2013

Let us grow togetherThe CSA is constantly looking for new members, just like you. Sign up five new members and get your next annual membership FREE. Download five applications from our website at www.snowbirds.org or photocopy the application below. Have five of your travelling friends become new and valued members of your association.

Your efforts will be honoured with: • Free Annual Membership • Special Key Member Pin • Your name published in CSANews

Sign up five new members and become a Key Member of the CSA!

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Signature _______________________________________ Date ___________________________________

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Lifetime $325 Credit provided for any dues paid in the last 5 years; call to confirm savings.

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I/we hereby apply for membership in the Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) and, if accepted, acknowledge and/or agree as follows:1) Membership dues are non-refundable and are renewable every June 30.2) Information contained in this application may be used by the association for various

purposes in accordance with privacy legislation including, but not limited to the following: a) Marketing purposes or research. b) Association-approved third parties as may be necessary.

3) The association will make reasonable efforts to ensure that we are advised of the purposes for which the information may be used.

4) The letters patent, by-laws, rules, regulations and policies of the association are binding.The Canadian Snowbird Association is in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) of the Government of Canada. To exclude your subscription to the CSAnews magazine, deduct $9.95 from the annual dues rate.Membership dues and fees are subject to change without notice.

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46 | www.snowbirds.org

CSA Benefits

CSAnewsThe official news magazine of the Canadian Snowbird Association is filled with valuable advice, timely tips and informative articles regarding issues that impact travelling Canadians. As an active subscriber and member of the CSA, you will receive four issues per year.

Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | fall 2007 | issUe 64

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Living in Lake ChapaLaAn in-depth look at a southern haven for Canadians

Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | sUMMer 2008 | issUe 67

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Inside You’ll Get:

Scary Stuff!

You’re Going South!

X Grains That Mix With The Grape X Have Passport…Can Travel X Refinancing Your Home

What’s so Spooky About St. Augustine

Get Your Health Together

Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | sUMMer 2010 | issUe 75

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Rising inteRest Rates

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The Amazing Canadian Dollar!

Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | fall 2008 | issUe 68

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inside…taking care of your skinthe allure of Oaxaca Mexico

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explore

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Alberta

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SymptomS you Should not ignore!10

HSTLAkeLAnDLoonie SoArS

Also in this issue

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Seeking adventure?On the road in an RV

deciphering dividendSDifferent strategies for uncertain market conditions

What are you taking?Over doing it with over-the-counter supplements

policy WordingDo you really know what you’re buying?

cruiSing the amazon

Travel down the world’s second longest river

Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | sPriNg 2011 | issUe 78

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A Better wAy to Give

Choosing a Charity

YummY AvoCADoS

More Great Recipes

Helping Your Doctor Help You

Difficult Diagnoses

Also InsIde:

GettInG MystIc In ArIzonA

surprIsInG sAskAtchewAn

CSANews 78.indd 1 4/28/2011 02:32:37 PM

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summertime in the winter NEW ZEALAND

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What’s Inside? Snowbird side-trips

Osteoarthritis treatment

A leader speaks

Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON sPriNg 2008 | issUe 66

CSA PresidentDon Gardiner

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Myrtle Beach

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Inside You’ll Get:Eating HealthyA Good Night’s SleepYour Retirement Fixed Mess With

Texas...Explore the Lone Star State

It’s Early Bird Time!

Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | sPriNg 2010 | issUe 74

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ontaRio snoWbiRds can Vote by mail

Victory!Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | wiNter 2010 | issUe 77

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meXicoDiscover the Rich Cultural History of Colonial Cities

riding the railSTrain Station History Along the I-75

emerging marketSInvesting with a Global Strategy

WHat's Your hobby?Keeping active after retirement

CSANews 77.indd 1 11/22/2010 08:17:58 PM

in thiS iSSue

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ireLAnDTour the Emerald Isle

AffordAble rVingGo Further for Less

The fAcTs AbouTIncontinence

Before you Borrow…home equiTy loAns

CSANews 79.indd 1 7/4/2011 04:55:06 PM

EXPLORENEW MEXICO

TAX-FREE SAVINGS ACCOuNTS

GET REAdy TO hEAd SOuTh

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BoTSWANAsnowbirds on sAfAri

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louisiana rebirth Restoring the SOUL of the U.S.

Your Vote

Counts!

See page 6 & 40

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Eating Well & Keeping Fithealthy lifestyle tips

Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | wiNter 2004 | issue 53

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Meet Dr. Beach who he is and how he rates America’s Top Ten beaches

Drive to Bermuda? our favourite i-75 guide takes us over the ocean

See Me, Hear Me combat sensory deprivationassociated with your age

Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | sPriNg 2006 | issUe 58Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | sPriNg 2006 | issUe 58

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Visit ManitobaHealth Screening

The Wired Snowbird

Official News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | sPriNg 2005 | issue 54

Visit ManitobaHealth Screening

The Wired Snowbird

in this issue

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CSA Breakthrough! Federal Health Minister advises provinces to comply with the C.H.A.

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Need help finding a doctor?

access to good Medical careat home and away

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PORTUGALa look at another snowbird destination

Mon

aste

ry of

Sant

a Mar

ia in

Alco

baça

Phot

o: Jo

ão P

aulo

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Florida Tax Crisis

OntariOdiscover

It’s early Bird Time! deadline is august 10

Keep exploring this summer!

How did we get here?

Publication mail agreement no: 40063603

OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | FALL 2016 | ISSUE 100

THETH

ISSUE100100EXPLORENEW MEXICO

TAX-FREE SAVINGS ACCOuNTS

GET REAdy TO

hEAd SOuTh

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BoTSWANAsnowbirds on sAfAri

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Don’T BreAk

Your HeArT

introSpective

inveSting

the muSical ride

a canadian tradition

20

CANA

DIA

N SN

OWBIRD ASSOCIA

TION

ANNIVERSARY

TH

MALTAMagnificent

A cornucopia of European

culture captured in one

archipelago.

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GALápAGoS

iSLAnDSWalk on the Wild Side

mess Around

in TexAs

The AccidenTAl

snowbirdDOn'T FALL FOR ME

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The evoluTion of

long-Term care

enchanTing

San anTonio

exploring The

chilean DeSerT

20

CANA

DIA

N SN

OWBIRD ASSOCIA

TION

ANNIVERSARY

TH

financial

STraTegieS

Understanding

the Basics of

Joint OwnershipOfficial News MagaziNe Of the caNadiaN sNOwbird assOciatiON | sPriNg 2012 | issUe 82

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LeS ÎLeS De LA

mADeLeine

20 YeArS of

SnoWBirD

ADvoCACY!

A Taste of

A CuLInARy CRuISE In QuEbEC

bond mArkeT

WHAT yOu nEED TO KnOW

explore The AmericAn

souThwesTLIVInG LOnGER

20

CANA

DIA

N SN

OWBIRD ASSOCIA

TION

ANNIVERSARY

TH

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20

CANA

DIA

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OWBIRD ASSOCIA

TION

ANNIVERSARY

TH

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Medals Awarded to

Canadian Snowbird

Association Members

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Polar Bear SafariSweet Home Alabama

Eat Well – Live Longer

Mortgage Strategies

CSA VICTORIESBC Snowbirds

Get 7 Months

Out of Province

Florida’s

International

Driver Permit

Repealed

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Discovering the

Northwest Territories

The Golden Isles of Georgia

Should You Buy an Annuity?

Avoiding Infections

A Tribute to a Friend of the CSA

CSANews 90.indd 1

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INSIDE ThIS ISSUE

Discover Myanmar

Taking Medication

on the Road

Choose the

Right G.I.C.

A Journey for

Your Palate

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Investments: When to Sell

Recent Medical Advances

The Golden Isles of Georgia

Survey Says!

AustriaMORE THAN THE SOUND OF MUSIC

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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500TH

ANNIVERSARY

Of fLORIDA

INSIDE ThIS ISSUE

florida for Nature

Lovers

Cashing in Without

Cashing out

Don’t be a Couch

Potato

Liona BoydSpotlight on a true

Canadian Legend

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Planning Your Legacy

Managing Your

Health Care

Amish Country

INSIDE THIS ISSUEFascinating

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Planning for the

Snowbird Lifestyle

Seven Common

Investment Errors

Protecting Public Health

INSIDE THIS ISSUEPatagonia Pristine

OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | WINTER 2015 | ISSUE 97

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6360

3

TRAVEL

COSTA RICA FINANCE

SNOWBIRD

STRATEGIES

RV LIFESTYLE

TEXAS HILLS

HEALTH

PREVENTING CVD

OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SUMMER 2015 | ISSUE 95

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FINANCE

VACATION

PROPERTIES

TRAVEL

UNKNOWN

EUROPE

HEALTH

HEALTHY

BACKS

NEW SECTION

GOLF

OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SPRING 2016 | ISSUE 98

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TRAVEL

SABLE ISLAND WHERE WILD HORSES ROAM FREE

FINANCE

WITHDRAWAL

STRATEGIES

RV LIFESTYLE

GOLD RUSH

HEALTH

CARE ON

THE ROAD

OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | FALL 2015 | ISSUE 96

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FINANCE

RUNNIN’

DRY

HEALTH

EXERCISE

TRAVEL

BERMUDA

OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SUMMER 2016 | ISSUE 99

FINANCE

Understanding Risk

RV LIFESTYLE

California Gold Country

HEALTH

Important Health Tips

The Canary Islands

Publication mail agreement no: 40063603

For more than twenty years, Medipac International has earned the respect and repeat business of snowbirds, coast-to-coast. Endorsed by the Canadian Snowbird Association, Medipac has proven time and time again to be the insurance company that snowbirds rely on. Before you travel – talk to Canada’s only “real” choice for travel medical insurance benefits.

1-888-MEDIPAC • WWW.MEDIPAC.COM

Not only is there strength in numbers…there are dollars in your pocket because of them! As a member of the CSA, you can take advantage of highly competitive rates negotiated through the CSA’s group purchasing power. For your home, car and cottage protection, look to the CSA.

1-800-267-8000

When your vehicle is stranded by the side of the road, you want help, fast. Joining the CSA auto club means choosing ANY service vehicle and getting on your way. Just submit the claim to us and we GUARANTEE payment within 30 business days.

1st car…$54 2nd car…$33

1-800-265-3200

The Canadian Snowbird Association offers its members a hassle free service to convert their Canadian currency into American funds, and it has never been better. Every month we will deduct the funds from your Canadian financial institution, exchange the currency and deposit the funds directly into your U.S. based bank account. No paperwork, no phone calls. Just convenience.

1-800-265-3200

CSA INFORMATION BOOKLETSThe CSA provides members with information booklets such as The CSA Travel Information Guide, The CSA Member Handbook and The CSA Travellers’ Checklist. Within these publications, you will find information pertaining to border crossing, tips to help you plan a lengthy trip and the various benefits of being a member of the CSA.

No one likes to think about accidents. Protect you and your spouse against the severe financial hardships that accompany sudden death, dismemberment or loss of sight. Endorsed by the CSA.

1-800-268-3336Endorsed by the

Personal Accident Insurance Plan

Designed exclusively for members of the Canadian Snowbird Association

THE CSA MEMBER HANDBOOK: BENEFITS & SERVICES

Canadian Snowbird AssociationCommitment, Service and Advocacy for Travellers

ONTARIO CSA LICENCE PLATESHelp to promote the rights and privileges of Canadian travellers every day by promoting the organization that works to protect your rights!

Order your CSA licence plate today by contacting the CSA at 1-800-265-3200.

Also available at any Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office in Ontario. Only $82.15.

Endorsed by the

CSA AUTO CLUB

Designed exclusively for members of the Canadian Snowbird Association

No matter where your road leads, you will never be alone.

Total Family Protection

Endorsed by the

Snowbird Currency Exchange Program

Designed Exclusively for the Canadian Snowbird Lifestyle

Proven by thousands of snowbirds

Exclusive, preferred exchange rates

Automatic monthly transfers

Low or no transfer fees

Save $100s each year!

CSA AUTO CLUB

Snowbird Currency Exchange Program

PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE PLAN

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 47

Fun & Games

1. 4.

2. 5.

3. 6.

Can you guess them all?These Outside the Box puzzles will definitely tease your brain!

Outside the Box Puzzles

01

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Copyright 2005-2017 Alan Morgan

CSA News Spring 2017 (No. 102) Edition Candidates

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BAN K$ Fire

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EMUDYE ITGET

Outside the Box Puzzles

01

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Copyright 2005-2017 Alan Morgan

CSA News Spring 2017 (No. 102) Edition Candidates

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Copyright 2005-2017 Alan Morgan

CSA News Spring 2017 (No. 102) Edition Candidates

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Outside the Box Puzzles

01

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Copyright 2005-2017 Alan Morgan

CSA News Spring 2017 (No. 102) Edition Candidates

FLA

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BAN K$ Fire

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Outside the Box Puzzles

01

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Copyright 2005-2017 Alan Morgan

CSA News Spring 2017 (No. 102) Edition Candidates

FLA

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Outside the Box Puzzles

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Copyright 2005-2017 Alan Morgan

CSA News Spring 2017 (No. 102) Edition Candidates

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Answers on page 54

48 | www.snowbirds.org

Grins & Giggles

Bed, Bath, and Way, Way BeyondIn the hardware store, a clerk asked, “Can I help you find anything?”

“How about my misspent youth,” joked my husband.

The clerk shot back, “We keep that in the back, between world peace and winning lottery tickets.”

Retirement, A Wife’s View

A frustrated wife told me the other day her definition of retirement:

“Twice as much husband on half as much pay.”

Natural Bull EnhancementA week after John bought a bull, he complained to his friend, “All that bull does is eat grass. Won’t even look at a cow.”

“Take him to the vet,” his friend suggested.

The next week, John is much happier. “The vet gave him some pills, and the bull serviced all of my cows!” he told his pal. “Then he broke through the fence and bred with all my neighbour’s cows! He’s like a machine!”

“What kind of pills were they?” asked the friend.

“I don’t know, but they’ve got a peppermint taste.”

The IntellectualsTwo retired professors were vacationing with their wives at a hotel in the Catskills. They were sitting on the veranda one summer evening, watching the sun set.

The history professor asked the psychology professor, “Have you read Marx?”

To which the professor of psychology replied, “Yes, and I think it’s these damned wicker chairs.”

CSANews | SPRING 2017 | 49

Fast Facts

Creative MindsCanadians are credited with an impressive number of inventions that have enjoyed various degrees of importance and impact both at home and abroad. Some are familiar to most, while others are not. Here’s a random list of home-grown creations not as well known as the invention of insulin, the telephone, hockey and lacrosse.

▶ Green garbage bag ▶ Pablum ▶ Wonderbra ▶ Paint roller ▶ Walkie-talkie ▶ Odometer

▶ Robertson screw ▶ Five-pin bowling ▶ IMAX movie screen ▶ Zipper ▶ Egg carton ▶ Bloody Caesar cocktail

Answers to Outside the Box Puzzles from page 521. Overdrawn chequing account 2. Fair and square 3. Across the board4. Wet behind the ears 5. Here’s mud in your eye 6. Get a handle on it

The Promise of Stem CellsAs the national voice for stem cell research, the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation has set a strategy to deliver up to 10 new curative therapies in the next 10 years. Targeted objectives using stem cell treatments include:

▶ Healing hearts, repairing severed spinal cords and fixing arthritic knees.

▶ Finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

▶ Freeing diabetics from daily insulin injections.

▶ Stopping Multiple Sclerosis in its tracks.

Be Good To Your HeartHere are 15 heart-healthy foods deemed to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.1. Fish such as tuna, salmon,

mackerel, herring and trout2. Nuts such as almonds and

walnuts3. Blueberries, strawberries,

cranberries and raspberries4. Dark beans5. Red, yellow and orange

vegetables6. Red wine (a 4-oz. glass)

7. Flax seeds8. Oatmeal 9. Tofu10. Spinach11. Fruits12. Asparagus13. Tomatoes14. Broccoli15. Dark chocolate (70% cocoa)

CSA PRESIDENT’S AWARD HONOUREESInstituted in 2003, the association has created an annual president’s award – to be presented at the annual general meeting or other suitable event – to recognize members who have served the association in an outstanding volunteer capacity, thereby making a significant contribution to the success of the association.

Bert De Vries Ontario/Florida

Ken and Pat FlemingOntario/Florida

Ron and Bev ClarkOntario/Florida

Bill and Mae DayManitoba/Texas

Keith & Rosemary SambrookManitoba/Texas

Mervyn and Deanna TailleferAlberta/Arizona

Yvonne SinnottBritish Columbia/Arizona

Howard and Linda HealeyOntario/California

50 | www.snowbirds.org

Snowbird Currency Exchange Program

The Snowbird Currency Exchange Program is designed specifically for the snowbird lifestyle. It’s that unique!

Join ranks with thousands of satisfied snowbirds who transfer money from Canada to the U.S. at exclusive, preferred exchange rates with little or no fees. It works with all major financial institutions, and the transfers are automatic.

The Snowbird Currency Exchange Program is the ultimate in cross-border banking for Canadian snowbirds. The program enables you to transfer money automatically from your regular Canadian chequing account to your U.S.-based bank account. The rest is up to you!

You can specify which months and what amounts you want to transfer, or you can have the same amount transferred every month on a continuous basis.

What makes this program really unique is that we pool the funds of every enrolled snowbird and complete a single bulk transaction. This grants us access to bulk exchange rates otherwise unavailable to the consumer, and we pass the savings on to you.

Unlike most exchange programs, the Snowbird Currency Exchange Program will not subject you to additional fees when your funds are transferred to your U.S. bank account. It’s that good!

The Snowbird Currency Exchange Program – it’s convenient, secure, trusted by thousands and worry-free.

Proven by thousands of snowbirds

1-800-265-3200 For information please call the CSA or download the application from www.snowbirds.org

For Canadians who KNOW they are heading south this Winter

“We’re Going!”

1-888-MEDIPAC1-888-633-4722 • www.medipac.comUnderwritten by Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada and Reliable Life Insurance Company

Watch for Early Bird and a little surprise!