november 29, 2013

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial November 2013 Cowichan Good Life Magazine 1

Good LifeSeniors ResourceDirectory

Page 33Good LifeGood Lifecowichan

Autumn 2013

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2 Cowichan Good Life Magazine Cowichan News Leader Pictorial November 2013

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good life insidechemainus in bloomMeet mural town’s blossoming team p4

free to enjoyrecreation on a budget p8

up to paron the links with Cowichan ladies p10

building co-operativelya new vision for home care p13

it won’t define melife after a mastectomy p16

mexican siesta there’s a mexican vacation for everyone p20

volunteeringfor a happy retirement p24

on the road againkeeping your freedom to drive p27

when being close countsJerry Melissa keeps pitching ringers p30

seniors resource directorycowichan seniors community foundation p33

redefining retirementit might not be what you are expecting p36

you’ve got to taste thisdon bodger goes mongrillian p37

on a brighter notewith lori welbourne p38

chemainus in

bloom p4

you’ve got to

taste this p37

Welcome to the Good Life — your local guide to the second half of living.You are the Baby Boomers of the Warm Land.Your kids are gone, or at least are in the process of leaving the nest. Your goals have shifted, or are shifting. Your body doesn’t necessarily work the way it once did.And life has served up a whole new set of challenges and opportunities.These stories are for you.

A guide to your best years in Cowichan

Published by the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, Unit 2, 5380 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan B.C., V9L 6W4

Phone: (250) 746-4471 Fax: (250) 746-8529 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.cowichannewsleader.com

Produced by: The Cowichan News Leader PictorialEditor: John McKinley Publisher: Bill Macadam

Designer: Eric Morten

See page 33 for your Seniors Resource Directory

Autumn 2013Friday, November 22, 2013


chemainus in

bloomby Ashley Degraaf

People, plants and pride.It’s a recipe for success for a group of Chemainiacs that has transformed the Little Town That Did into the

Little Town that Bloomed.“We are a happy group,” said CCiB’s secretary Erica Prince, who’s been involved since 2004. “We have parties. We will have people new to town stop us and ask what we’re doing and how they can get involved. They want to meet people in the community.”And as much as the group — which works pretty much all year-round including planning and paperwork — is about socialization, it’s also very much to do with pride in the community members call home.“Chemainus Communities in Bloom’s purpose is to enhance the small community of Chemainus through people, plants and pride,” current

chairwoman Marion Hawkins, who also joined in 2004, said. “For me, I’m just so proud when you see the final result.”“And people really appreciate us,” said Prince.CCiB broke ground in 2002 with a small group of passionate gardeners.“It was two ladies and they asked their friends,” explained Hawkins. “It took quite a lot of digging.”The founding gals met in each other’s homes before they went on a walkabout of the town and decided what needed to be done. They then developed a program where individuals adopted a bed and paid for plants, compost and other supplies.In 2003, the first public meeting was held at Fuller Lake Arena. This is when the Municipality of North Cowichan became involved, explained Hawkins and Prince.In 2004, CCiB’s adopt-a-bed system became more established, with folks caring for 21 beds.

Money was raised initially by plant sales, and garden tours and in 2003 by a container competition with the muni matching the funds.CCiB now currently applies for grant money each year.“We have a dedicated and active membership of approximately 25 and last year we contributed over 1,500 volunteer hours,” Hawkins said. “We apply for a grant from the municipality of North Cowichan and work closely with them on our projects.”In 2004, members were tickled to get talks started on the Henry Road traffic circle and surrounding beds, designed and maintained by CCiB.Chemainus north and south entrance signs were designed and implemented in 2008, while in 2012 CCiB did the re-design of the Gerry Smith Park (locomotive area) which is a work still in progress.

continued on page 7

Dedicated group of volunteers hard at work making Mural Town bloomin’ wonderful

Chemainus Communities in Bloom’s Erica Prince and Marion Hawkins look over some of the work their group has done at the Rotary Park.

photo: Ashley Degraaf


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CCiB’s flower of the year was the cosmo (which is Greek for “beautiful”).“They produce a prolific amount of flowers all the way until the first frost, and as an added bonus they attract butterflies and beneficial insects to your garden,” stated the CCiB on their blog.

“Last year we were thrilled with the participation from our little town in planting our annual choice.

“We not only gain in beautifying our homes and streets, but this also shows unity and support for our efforts in making our town bloomin’ wonderful.”

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from page 4

“This year has been a busy one for us,” said Hawkins. “In addition to our display of annuals at the Henry Road traffic circle, we provided a new design and were involved in the planting of the Gerry Smith Park (locomotive park); planted trees at Askew Park, on a Croft Street bump-out, and at the Horseshoe Hotel and new shrubs and trees at the Henry Road traffic circle. We were involved in the planning of the new Oak Street traffic circle and take pride in their spring daffodil display.”As a group the gals get their hands dirty maintaining the Henry Road traffic circle and surrounding area as well as the large area called Rotary Park.About 4,000 annuals are planted in the spring with help from friends, family and Rotary members.CCiB is also responsible for the four sun baskets at the marina; 12 shade impatiens baskets at Waterwheel Park and six sun baskets at the Old Fire Hall and Info Centre.“We have regular two weekly work parties over the summer and into the fall, we have what’s called Weed and Feed as we work hard for one hour and then share a meal together and socialize,” said Hawkins.Individual participation is still ongoing with 21 beds being taken care of by adopted folks.These beds include those at Waterwheel Park, Chemainus Health Care Centre, the Willow Street planters, the Information Centre, and the Emily Carr garden as well as many others.“We have a flower of the year to promote our group and to encourage the community to plant more flowers,” said Hawkins, noting the group also has a blog maintained by one of their members (www.thelittletownthatblooms.com) and they also get monthly ink in the Chemainus Courier for a We Dig segment.“This year it was cosmos and we had a huge display of pink, mauve and white blooms all summer long at the Henry Road traffic circle,” said Hawkins.“We work year round in preparation, planting annuals in spring, bulbs and pansies in the fall, replacing old plants, ongoing maintenance and planning. We have monthly meetings except in the summer.”

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by Ashley Degraaf

Running a val-ley-wide free recreation pro-gram for se-niors isn’t as

cut-and-dried as it is in other communities.But officials say there are plenty of options for cost-free or low-cost activities depending on what electoral area you call home.“The CVRD Parks, Recre-ation and Culture programs, being part of a regional dis-trict governing body, has no one master to govern or set policies and procedures, but several area commissions to govern their respective elec-toral areas,” Cowichan Valley Regional District parks, rec-reation and culture manager Ron Austen explained.Nanaimo city council coun-cillors recently debated whether to keep its free rec-reation program going for folks over 80 years old.“Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture Department is a municipally funded program

governed by one (only) over-all commission and council,” Austen said. “If the Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Cul-ture Commission wishes to provide district wide-free programs for seniors, it can do so with one municipal approved resolution. Hence their district-wide free pro-grams for seniors policy and procedures drives their pro-grams.”Meanwhile, Warm Land of-ficials are doing their best to keep to the general mandate: providing, developing and collaborating on inclusive, cost-effective programs and services.“I feel that we have an excel-lent range of leisure activities and opportunities here in Cowichan,” Cowichan Se-niors Community Founda-tion executive director Carol Hunt said. “There are numer-ous walking groups, canoe/kayak clubs, rowing clubs, dragon boats, lawn bowling, and trail systems.”As part of the CSCF’s Brain Fitness program, participants and organizers brainstorm

ideas for recreational activi-ties that are free, affordable and accessible.“When I was in Cranbrook, I witnessed seniors walk-ing around the arena during the cold weather, as a sort of track,” she said. “The walk-way was constructed so this was possible as it went all the way around and was flat and wide enough for a walk-ing track. It was half way up through the seat section.“I was struck with how ter-rific this would be here as we have cold and wet weather making it hard to be out-doors,” said Hunt.She also recently noticed a group of seniors in Colorado getting into an aerobics class at their aquatic facility.“It was led by a member, a senior person, and they were having a ball,” Hunt said. “They had T-shirts with the

logo (Silver Shoelaces) on it. It was free. There were post-ers up displaying stuff they could do as a self-instruction activity i.e. stretches, posture, etc. It seemed like it was a club rather than a class.”While many local recre-ation programs hold indoor events during fall and win-ter seasons, including the Cowichan Aquatic Centre and South Cowichan Recre-ation’s activities at Kerry Park Arena and Shawnigan Lake Community Centre, there are also plenty of options available when the sun’s out in full force.For one of those, take a gander at the Cowichan Sportsplex.Facility staff recently launched a rubberized trail system, about 660 metres long that loops around the ball field and features several

free to enjoyCowichan seniors shouldn’t expect local government to provide free fun and recreation, but that won’t stop people from making their own

Cowichan’s Peter evans takes advantage

of the Cowichan Sportsplex’s new

rubber trail that runs 660 metres around the

ball fields.photo: Ashley Degraaf


pit-stops and added workout stations.Ask Cowichan’s Peter Evans and he’ll tell you it’s easy on the joints.“It’s just great, especially for your knee and hip issues,” Evans said during a stroll. He had a knee replacement sur-gery about four months ago.“I come here every day. It’s de� nitely � rst-class,” he said, also noting more folks are hearing about the new trail and it’s not as quiet as it used to be.Sportsplex sta� is also in the process of polishing o� a few of the trail’s features, including the building of a gazebo at the trail’s end.“People who use the trail can even bring their grandchildren along,” executive director Catherine Brandon said, point-ing to several features along the way, including a set of monkey bars. “We’ve really tried to make this project as ac-cessible to as many people as we can.”For folks living in the south end, South Cowichan Recreation o� ers a recre-ation assistance program.� at program is up for grabs for families living in Mill Bay, Malahat, Shawnigan

Lake, Cobble Hill, and Cowichan Bay with a family income that is at or be-low the Statistics Canada Low Income � reshold.And, there are also plenty of other pro-grams available that aren’t too heavy on people’s bank accounts.

Some include their Fit Forever exercise program designed for adults 55 years of age, a stretch and strength morning � t-ness class, 55+ yoga sessions, and leisure drop-in hockey geared for player’s ages 50 years and older.� e Island Savings Centre o� ers several programs for seniors recreation, includ-ing pickle ball, seniors yoga and Pilates, pioneer hockey and skate drop in and Men’s 50+ full gear hockey.Meanwhile, Cowichan Lake Recre-ation’s budget includes a tax requisition funded by the tax payers of Electoral Area I, Electoral Area F and the Town of Lake Cowichan.“Recreational services providing op-tions for healthier lifestyles is an in-vestment,” Cowichan Lake Recreation manager Linda Blatchford said. “� is investment assists with lowering overall health costs.”� ey o� er several programs for adults and seniors for free or at reduced costs, including pickle ball, carpet bowling, curling, bowling, skating and volleyball.

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by Don Bodger

Golf clubs are one common bond that makes the Cowichan Golf and Country Club’s ladies’ division a great social club for its members.Many of the ladies have been through person-al and family health issues, but have formed

lasting friendships through the club to carry them through some of the tough times.“It’s the best therapy I can have — the exercise, the fresh air, the companionship,’’ said Rosemary Branting, 77.Branting’s husband, Ralph, died this year and she spent 2 1/2 months in hospital herself last year and underwent an opera-tion when a tumor was detected on her pancreas.

“I couldn’t even walk when they told me I could get up,’’ said Branting.� e good news is she never needed chemotherapy or radiation. Branting gets a CAT scan every six months and the road to recovery included getting back into golf.“I started in February,’’ she said. “I came out for nine holes.’’By April, Branting was back to playing 18 holes with the la-dies.“To walk 18 was a real challenge,’’ she said. “� e � rst times I would walk nine and ride nine.’’Branting only picked up golf in her early 50s but has been at it for 25 years now with only minor interruptions.“I joined the club in ‘88,’’ said Branting. “Prior to that, we golfed up at March Meadows. We had our cabin up there.’’

continued on page 12

Up toPARrecreation

Cowichan Golf and Country Club’s ladies’ division all about fun and socialization

photo: Don Bodger

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from page 10Having Wednesday ladies’ days is a nice habit for her.“You end up going out for lunch or staying for lunch,’’ she said. “I’m not in a hurry to get home. There are a lot of ladies here that have lost their husbands in recent years.’’Pat Molyneaux, 66, is the current ladies’ captain and was vice-captain previously for two years.Molyneaux hails from Grande Prairie, Alberta and just came to the valley in 2006. The Prairie girl has en-joyed her integration to the coast, with golf playing a big role.“I started because my hus-band was golfing,’’ she said. “I love the social part as much as the competition, if not more.’’Molyneaux found she had connections with Doreen White and just hit it off with the group.“They were all just very

friendly,’’ she said. “I’ve thor-oughly enjoyed the years I’ve been here and it’s a chal-lenging course. My handi-cap went up when we moved here.’’White, 62, has been an is-lander for 12 years after pre-viously being in Aldergrove and playing at the Chilliwack Golf Club.“I started at about 30,’’ said White of her golfing re-sume. “My husband told me I should probably learn to golf or I’ll find myself at home

alone.’’She heeded that advice and also branched out to join the ladies.“It’s a great group of ladies,’’ White said. “I took over the Tuesday night ladies’ golf — a lot of non-members there.’’She still works full-time in the travel industry that gives her a chance for a special get-away to somewhere like Mexico when the weather here isn’t so great for playing.“I try to take a golf holiday,’’ White conceded.Nancy Munro turns 70 next April and first started playing in 1968.“I’ve had some hiatuses,’’ she said.Munro skipped 14 years while her kids were in school and had both hips replaced that takes rehabilitation time. But she always came back to

golf, even after hand surgery derailed her further for a while in 2011.“I’m not going to let it beat me,’’ Munro said. “I gave up all my other sports after the hip replacements. It’s just to keep your mental faculties going. If I’m not active, I go crazy.“You know what you’re go-ing to do every Wednesday. You’re going off to golf.’’Sandy Buchanan, 75, came to the valley from Calgary and joined the club right away upon arrival in 1984.This is her 30th year golfing.“There’s always a challenge there,’’ Buchanan said. “When (pro) Norm ( Jackson) first came here, I started taking les-sons from him. Norm’s really helped me.’’She golfs Mondays, Wednes-days and Fridays and said she likes the competitions. Bu-chanan has two holes-in-one on her career on No. 13 and 15 and best round ever is 88.The club has really served a dual purpose for her with the time she’s spent on the course and off it as the first lady president at Cowichan and two stints as ladies’ captain.“After having worked all my life, I thought I’ve got to do something to keep my mind active,’’ Buchanan said.

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“I started because my husband was golfing,’’ she said. “I love the social part as much as the

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Building seniors housing,

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Cowichan con� dent it can bring a new kind of community-friendly retirement home care to the valley

by Peter W. Rusland

Co-operative help is coming for Cowichan seniors wishing to live at home, and receive

health care there.Once that co-op — Cowichan’s � rst of its kind — gets lift o� , local volunteers aim to build the valley’s � rst seniors co-op hous-ing complex.

Warm Land’s � edgling elder-care project, Better At Home, got huge support at a recent meeting at Duncan United Church, where demand for a co-op care model was discussed with Kevin Hard-ing of the B.C. Cooperative As-sociation.“We were just blown away by the meeting,” said Roger Hart of the organizing Cowichan Co-opera-tive Connections Association.A committee of about 20 is now

exploring the Better co-op.Volunteer Cowichan would be the lead agency working with the association to � rst mull the care co-op, then an overall housing model to help the valley’s aging population.Hart said the association aims to apply for $20,000 available from the feds to help develop models tailored to local seniors.

story continued on page 14

photo: Peter W. Rusland


continued from page 13“Growth in services, publicly or privately funded, is not meeting demand,” CCCA chairman Rob Douglas tells Harding in his group’s letter-of-intent.It tells how seniors are serious about co-operative care, and living.Douglas explains locals want an aging-in-place approach, lending co-op mem-bers democratic voices about indepen-dence, and a sense of community.Cowichan’s association continues meet-ing with locals to impart “co-op literacy” about models fitting mature Cowicha-nians of varied incomes.“The proposal phase,” Douglas says of the elder-care co-op, “will explore suit-able models, and develop a business plan that minimizes risk, and offers sustain-ability for the co-op.”Hart hoped Harding’s agency approves work on Cowichan’s care proposal.“We have a project ready to roll, and we have a seniors population higher than the provincial average.”Harding said he was taken by a strong co-op thrust at the church meeting that drew about 125.“That shows me there’s a base of com-munity support. There’s so much excite-ment and anticipation in the Cowichan Valley.”The valley’s care co-op could look like this, in a formal plan.Seniors interested in home-care ser-vices, by say, licensed practical nurses, would pool their money in the co-op in return for a share in it.“I’d suggest there’s probably about 20,000 (local seniors) who are potential customers,” noted Hart.Co-op members could include renters and home-owners — but not those in hospital or care facilities now (such as Cairnsmore Place), he noted.LPNs would be hired, maybe using co-op cash to open an office.Members book appointments for nurse visits, and pay certain amounts for home services spanning medicine and dietary advice, to treatment of sores and more.Non-members could also book co-op RNs, perhaps at a higher prices.Hart cited successful care co-ops in Washington State, Ontario, Quebec and Europe.Profit use would be decided by co-op

members. They may elect to buy a van for the nurses, shuttling members to doctors’ offices — or maybe subsidize their future visits.A co-op seniors housing complex offers a similar scenario.“The first (home-care) initiative wouldn’t stop when we move on to the complex,” Hart noted.Investing members would decide where to build, the contractor, and home de-signs that could be green.Plans could span apartments, duplexes, single-family abodes, or a mix.“Some seniors said very explicitly ‘We don’t want to be in a seniors’ ghetto,’” said Hart. “They want to be part of a mixed-age (55-plus) complex.”Members would also vote about mainte-nance and upgrades. Since co-op mem-bers, not a developer, own the project, units could cost less without profit mo-tives.Harding cited Vancouver’s success-ful Ambleview co-op, and Castelgar’s Grandview.“Affordable seniors housing co-ops can reduce the cost of living,” Harding said of a collaborative community engaging

people.Committee member Moira Hauk, of the Coastal Community Credit Union signalled where there’s a will, there’s a way to finance co-ops with a sense of af-fordable belonging.Given buy-in from governments, private foundations, service clubs, municipal landlords, and co-op members, a seniors’ complex is possible.“This is the type of project credit unions, as a whole, would get behind,” she said.“There’s a pretty deep social conscience in the valley, and this fits with our so-cial values. Profits are important, but not the most important thing — the people piece is equally important.”North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure indicated interest in affordable co-op housing near core services, suggesting municipal land use should be discussed.“We don’t own a lot of land downtown, but it’s something we should talk about — there’s municipal land on the out-skirts of Crofton that’s still in our ur-ban-growth boundary.“Our concern should not just be about seniors; housing co-ops can have a light-er (carbon) footprint,” Lefebure said.

Kevin Harding of the B.C. Co-operative Association leads recent discussion at Duncan United Church about starting a Cowichan co-op for seniors home care,

and eventually a seniors co-op housing complex. photo: Cowichan Co-operative Connections Association


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One woman’s road to recovery after cancer

claims her breast

by Ashley Degraaf

The � rst thing Claire Mc-Colman did when she ar-rived home

after having surgery to re-move one of her breasts was design a T-Shirt.“It had one balloon on one side and another bal-loon popping on the side where my breast had been removed,” the mother and grandmother said. “My grandmother always taught me to see the humour in things.”� at played a big factor in McColman’s journey through breast cancer and the loss of a breast.

photo: Ashley Degraaf


When McColman lost her hair during chemotherapy, she wore many funky wigs including one she said was very Rod Stewart-like.When her hair started to grow back, she dyed it bright purple.“I always wanted to be the purple-haired grandma,” McColman said.And her hair was that way for about a year and a half, she said, still showing traces of purple in her just-above-shoul-der-length silver locks.McColman underwent the mastectomy in January 2011.She had been diagnosed in December with breast cancer.“My angels were with me that day,” the Crofton resident said.McColman was urged to go in for a mammogram after undergoing a hyster-ectomy that past summer.The mammogram picked up a lump, and although it wasn’t cancerous it caused health officials concern, therefore a lumpectomy was performed immedi-ately.After further biopsy results came in, however, another lump, that was one

and a half centimeters, was discovered and unfortunately was cancerous.McColman’s surgeon gave her a choice to have another lumpectomy or a mas-tectomy.“I really didn’t anticipate I had cancer,” she said. “It was all very sudden. I was even surprised. Well, I kind of like my body the way it is. But I also didn’t like the idea of cancer.”McColman had a few days to chew on the decision.“My daughter said ‘You know mom, you’re not going to have to nurse any

more babies,’” she said.And after doing her homework, includ-ing reading a book titled The Intelligent Patient Guide to Breast Cancer, McCol-man decided she liked her chances go-ing with the mastectomy.Tough times really began post-surgery.“I said to nurse who came to my house after the surgery, ‘I’m not sure that I’m ready to look,’” she said. “I had never had major surgery before, besides the hyster-ectomy.”


These are just some memories of Claire McColman’s journey with breast cancer. They include the book she read before making the decision to have a mastectomy, the T-Shirt she made with the balloon and balloon popping after her surgery, a photo of herself as the “Purple-haired grandma” and a breast prosthesis she used. photo: Ashley Degraaf

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from page 17

Having the hysterectomy and mastectomy in such a close span was tough for McCol-man.“That’s your femininity, your motherhood and then you lose a breast. That was hard.”Thankfully she had lots of family and friends to walk her though.The “nasty” really didn’t hit her until she began chemo-

therapy.“It just wiped me out, com-pletely. I wasn’t sure some days I could get off the couch,” she said.McColman was forced to quit her part-time job at Wal-Mart as she was too ex-hausted, and because of the risk for infection being ex-posed to so many shoppers.But just before McColman’s mastectomy, a friend of hers from Alberta asked if she’d

like to take a trip with her to Turkey the following Sep-tember.“You bet I want to go,” was McColman’s response.She used that trip as distrac-tion and anticipation for it helped her through surgery and chemo.“But when I got home, it was really what goes up must come down,” she said. “I felt drained. Here I am missing body parts. I’ve got no hair.

I had quit my job. My mar-riage had broken up. It wasn’t a good feeling.”McColman’s mind went to a dark place.But then she received a sim-ple email that made her see the light at the end of the tunnel.“It was nothing out of the ordinary, it was from a friend who had signed off, ‘I love you Claire.’”This made something click.“I still am loved. There’s something to love about me. I am still cared about. It was just that one line. But the brain can really do numbers on you.”The Cowichan Family Life volunteer just returned from traveling to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. And recently, she’s shifted her focus on re-searching alternative meth-ods to the mammogram.McColman had reconstruc-tive surgery booked for Nov. 12.She wonders if she’s vain to have this surgery, taking tum-my fat to rebuild the breast she lost.Some women choose not to.“I saw a woman at the cancer clinic in Victoria volunteer-ing who had obviously one missing, as you could clearly tell through her T-Shirt,” McColman said.But not every individual deals with cancer the same way. Some join every event, every team, wear every pink shirt, ribbon and button. Then there are others who are more silent in their fight and shift their focus on other aspects of their life.That’s McColman.“This has been an experience of my life,” she said. “But it’s past-tense now. I don’t want this to define me.”

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Despite earthquakes, drug cartels and banditos, Mexico mostly remains an a� ordable holiday hot-spot for folks of all incomes, frequent visitors explain.� at’s because Mexico is so darned big, friendly and fascinating, while our strong dollar buys about 12 pesos

and a cold beer costs about $1.50.Options are huge for snowbirds buying or renting condos, time shares, or homes. Others � ock to all-inclusive resorts, small hotels (about $30 nightly) and hostels ($10 or less) on the Caribbean and the Paci� c coasts.For Cowichan travel veteran Roger Sparkes, Mexican familiarity breeds frequency.“You have to � nd a place you like, stay there a few times, and get to know it,” said Sparkes who spends winter months near Melaque. “You get to know people, and get yourself into the kind of situation you want.”He rents a beachfront, private condo for $1,000 a month, where he stores belongings and a car in the o� -season.


From budget to high-end, culture to luxury, there is a Mexican vacation for everyone.


mexican siesta


from page 20That off-season, outside a peak season that spans December through April, also brings the best flight prices, said Sharon Viala of Whittome’s Travel.She cited $299 for an all inclusive Septem-ber stay at Puerto Vallarta’s four-star Royal Decameron.That includes flight, accommodations, food and alcohol “but it could be two days of solid rain. If you don’t mind the humidity, take ad-vantage of low prices.”Mexico is a four-season sensation.Hurricane rains in late fall can breed mosquitoes and misery; spring forests and villages sprout lush flow-ers, and loads of birds and wildlife.The dry, peak season offers predictable weather in the high-90s, with clear skies, on say, Cancun’s Mayan Riveria, or in Oaxaca’s desert regions.Higher elevations in Mexico City, and Gua-dalajara offer culture, architectural and artis-tic pursuits, without bugs.Big cities have smog, traffic, plenty of cops, and plenty to do. Accommodations also run from pricey to budget — a peak-season nice hotel near Mexico City’s El Centro costs about $40 a night.Many choices mean flight picks, explained Viala. “Prices depend on destination and when you go.”This winter offers Victoria to Baja’s Los Ca-bos, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Huatulco.Those places also offer hostels and cheap hotels for backpackers using budget travel guides, such as Lonely Planet (off-season flights only can be under $500; high season, about $900).Basically, the older the traveller, the more re-sorts they use, indicated Viala.“Seniors tend to go for all-inclusives because it’s easy for them. They don’t have to leave the resort, and still have the sun and beach, and everything provided.”But unlike Europe, Mexican tours aren’t that popular. “They want to relax and do it at their own pace.”Viala also put Mexico’s dangers into per-spective.“Are you comfortable walking the streets of Victoria or Vancouver at three in the morn-ing? You have to be cautious no matter where you are in this world.”

A world of time-shares also awaits. Many travelers get sales pitches in return for a din-ner or bottle of tequila.Folks at RCI declined to be interviewed. RCI has become one of the larger brokers of timeshare-type programs across Mexico.“RCI is in the business of timeshare ex-changes,” its website says.Its Points program sees members receive a point allotment that can be applied to differ-ent accommodations.Its Weeks program, lets members exchange their property’s shared time for another week

at an equivalent or lower value property. Annual membership fees are re-quired.Timeshares with an RCI-affiliated developer let folks swap their timeshare with other members.Then there’s the Cadil-lac of Mexican lodgings:

high-end condos.Vivian’s property listings offered an Ixtapa ocean view for US $355,000; and ocean-front highrise in Rosarito, Baja North for $680,000; a 1,250 square foot Cancun condo for $175,000; and a one-bedroom pad in Cabo for only $49,000.But peso-pinching pensioner Sparkes want-ed a modest crib for maximum chilling.“I’ve never had lots of money, and didn’t want to spend a lot on a hotel I basically sleep in.”Part-time Cowichanian Deb Maike reported excellent adventures house sitting — she’s now rented an unfurnished, year-round beach place for $200 a month.And nothing beats face-to-face connections to find house-sitting work and other deals, said Maike who lives on a municipal pension and CPP.“Many places are not available not on the net, and you can negotiate your price depending on length of your stay; there’s some wonder-ful, inexpensive accommodations through word of mouth.”Many people live in Mexico year-round “because they can no longer afford to live in Canada on their pensions,” she said.“During Mexico’s summer holidays, people come to the coast from places like Mexico City. They check into bungalows gringos rented in the winter for considerably more,” she said, noting a plethora of rental pads.“It’s cheaper to rent year round because it all averages out.”

Roger’s

Mexico Tips:• Be courteous to

everyone.

• Use your Canadian debit card, get exchange rates at bank ATMs; take out as much cash as possible, use hotel safes.

• Visit older parts of town for interesting shops, eateries, arts and culture.

• Try different hotels

• Water: Don’t drink it, toothbrushing is OK

• Food: The more customers inside, the better. “Tacos are the best bargain in Mexico.”

• Buy produce off the back of trucks.

• Travel health insurance is vital. Mexico’s doctors and dentists are well trained.

• Shop in local grocery stores

• Explore the bus system; long-distance coaches have air conditioning and movies.

“You have to find a place

you like, stay there a few

times, and get to know it.”

Roger Sparkes


by Ann Andersen

Mary Ann Deacon simply shakes her head when fellow seniors say they’re bored.

“There’s so much to do here,” she says.And Deacon’s not just talking about the Cowichan region’s myriad indoor and outdoor recreational and artistic oppor-tunities: she’s talking about volunteering to help enrich lives in the community.It’s a fact: seniors with time to spare need look no further than volunteering for a rewarding and satisfying commu-nity experience.

And they’ll feel better for it, says George Stratemeyer, executive director of Vol-unteer Cowichan, the 35-year-old com-munity organization that hosts an on-line volunteer matching site.“Volunteers live healthier, happier lives,” Stratemeyer says, referring to data from the Public Health Agency of Canada and Volunteer Canada.“We know from studies that older adults who volunteer experience few stress-re-lated illnesses and have a higher quality of life.”Seniors who volunteer are less likely to feel isolated, he explains.“The caring and respect that occurs in social relationships and the resulting

sense of satisfaction and well-being seem to act as a buffer against health problems.”And according to Volunteer Cowichan’s volunteer directory (www.volunteerco-wichan.bc.ca) opportunities abound – whatever your interests and skills.The site lists possibilities — with contact information — in two dozen categories including health, gardening, drivers, guides, greeters, board members, sports and recreation.So, to stay healthy, happy and stress-free longer, volunteering with something you like seems to be the key.Whether it’s working continuously with a single organization — like Bill Keserich’s

volunteering for a happy retirement

Benefits of keeping busy after work many, opportunities endless

Bill Keserich has spent the past 33 years as volunteer chairman of the Cowichan Valley Soccer Association.

photo: Andrew Leong


“We know from studies that older adults who volunteer experience

few stress-related illnesses and have a

higher quality of life.”

George Stratemeyer

33 years as chairman of the Cowichan Valley Soccer Association, or former teacher Leslie Sjobjerg’s 31 years with the Cowichan Music Festival; or a few years with several organizations in order to meet people and try new things — like current Cowichan Hospital Thrift Store volunteer Lynda Giles — all say volun-teering is a healthy, learning experience.“I’m a people person; I enjoy people,” says Deacon, a former nurse and teacher currently involved with the Elder Col-lege and Cowichan Valley Hospice So-ciety boards. She also volunteers with Hospice on vigils and with Friends of Cowichan Theatre.“I don’t understand when people say they’re bored,” she says conceding that a real challenge is saying ‘No.’ “It’s sometimes hard to fit in the house-work,” she laughs.“Volunteering is modeling positive be-havior for children and grandchildren,” Deacon says.Keserich, too, cites role-modeling as an important element of volunteering.“As a kid, I had role models myself. Now, my children and grandchildren ask me

‘How come you know so many people in the community?’” he says. And a visitor to the Sherman Road soccer fields on Saturdays only has to listen in for a short while as the cheerful, hard-working soc-cer promoter greets everyone by name.“It’s important to celebrate every day af-ter 60,” says Giles, a relative newcomer to the valley, who moved here eight years ago from Ontario.During her career, Giles worked in a retirement facility and has discovered

she enjoys working with seniors in posi-tions she’s found by searching the Vol-unteer Cowichan database. in the past few years, she’s worked with Cowichan Hospice and Friendly Visitors.“I enjoy working with seniors; we can learn a lot from each other,” she says.She feels privileged to be part of their lives, she adds, noting volunteerism’s many rewards.“The seniors I’ve met have enriched my life more than I’ve enriched theirs.”Deacon cites helping Elder College find its feet has been rewarding. She and an-other former teacher Sadie Hudspith joined the Elder College board some years ago when the organization’s future seemed uncertain.“We said to one another ‘We can do it, can’t we?’ and years later, we’re still here,” she says.Another bonus, she says, is matching courses with instructors. She cited a re-cent occasion with Elder College.“I asked a former teacher if she’d teach a course on (recent Nobel Prize winner) Alice Munro. She said ‘I’d love to.’ That was truly rewarding.”

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One of our long-time volunteers, Joan Brown, shopping at H.A.T.S. with her sister from UK.

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Story & photos by Peter W. Rusland

Like other skills, driving can get rusty as we age.That’s why Victoria sent a letter a few years ago to Cowichan driver Do-

reen Green, advising she get medically checked to ensure she was physically roadworthy.Green, 84, happily yielded.“I didn’t have to go for a road test, or write a test. My doctor said I’m quite ca-pable of carrying on,” she said of having her eyesight, blood pressure and other things checked.“All my friends are driving much more carefully than ever before because if you lose your driver’s licence, you lose your

independence.”Weather is also a big matter to mature motorists.“Lots of seniors don’t drive at night, par-ticularly a wet night in the winter isn’t good; ice is the worst one.”Green proudly said she’s accident free after starting to drive at around age 19.So is Pat Shaw, 89, who started driving at age 28.The RAF war veteran said seniors shouldn’t fear a driving test for road safety, and family should suggest it.“If their skills are slipping they should suggest doing something about it.”Right, said Shirley Kolompar, owner the Cowichan School of Motoring.She started behind the wheel 40-odd years ago, and urged motorists of all

ages, particularly seniors, to take a re-fresher course to keep themselves sharp.“It wouldn’t hurt anyone to come for a refresher. We don’t take driver’s licences away, that’s up to the Motor Vehicles Branch,” she said.However, Victoria should start ques-tioning one’s driving skills earlier than age 80, indicated Kolompar.“It’s very unfair for the government to wait until someone’s 80, and maybe has had a stroke, to all of a sudden say they have to come for a driver’s course.“It needs to start earlier; maybe going for a road test every five years when you renew your licence.


on the road again

Keeping your freedom to

drive means taking care of your skills and

your health


Keeping seniors

ROADSAFE• There are 11,000 drivers age 55 and older in Cowichan, ICBC states

• As drivers age, the higher the stats their licence can be cancelled for medical � tness reasons — then chances drop. 2009 to 2011 saw 3.85% of licences pulled for drivers ages 16 to 34; 65-69, 2.68%; age 75-79, 10.6%; 80-84, 22%; 85-89, 17.2%; 90-94, 4.1%.

• B.C.’s Of� ce of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles monitors drivers of all ages to ensure they are � t and able to drive safely.

• At age 80, and every two years thereafter, drivers must be assessed by their doctor and submit a medical report to the OSMV.

• If a driver older than 80 has no medical concerns that might affect their driving, they must renew their license every � ve years.

• If drivers are considered � t to drive, with no limiting conditions or restrictions, there is no reason to deny them their ability to drive.

• The Superintendent may require a driver to take a vision test, a functional driving assessment, a road test, or complete a medical or other examination to determine � tness to drive.

Visit http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/medical-� tness/index.htm

from page 27“Laws change all the time and people don’t keep up with them.”� at’s why seniors, and younger driv-ers, can develop bad habits — maybe due to injury or medical conditions — while awareness of new road regula-tions drops through the cracks.Physicians may refer their patients for a brush-up “and we send a report back to the doctor.”“If they’ve had an accident, or a stroke or heart attack, doctors are required to report them,” Kolompar said of creep-ing hazards. “How severe was their stroke, and how is their memory if they have dementia?”� ose and more are discussed at the CSM.“With all students, we do a 90-min-ute driving assessment so the instruc-tor can see where the student’s at,” she said, citing common faults seniors can develop.“Often they’re going too slow, too fast, not doing shoulder checks, and their observation isn’t that good.”Some in the 80s age group have never had a road test.“Some didn’t even have a road test when they got their driver’s licence; some have never parallel parked in their lives,” she said.Signalling skills, and highway merging moves may also have eroded for some golden-agers.“Roundabouts are another one — even some young drivers don’t know how to use them.”� e provincial road test is only about 45 minutes long, and seniors have good days and bad days, Kolompar said of folks needing to retest.But getting aging parents into a driving school, after years of motoring, can be a pleasure or a pain, depending on their attitude.“Some seniors dig in their heels, and don’t want to be here; others are abso-lutely great, and come with wonderful attitudes.“Often, seniors aren’t as bad a driver as their kids think they are.”Assessing road smarts is a big part of safe motoring, signalled Green. “I also keep my � ngers crossed, and be very careful.”

Pat Shaw, 89, is accident-free, and suggests seniors get necessary testing if their skills start slipping.

“All my friends are driving much more carefully than ever before because if you lose your driver’s licence, you lose your independence.” Doreen Green


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Enter at www.cowichannewsleader.com/contestsDeadline for submissions is November 25 at noon.

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER!

Eight dollars from every purchase of this beautiful E.J. Hughes 2014 Calendar will

be donated to the CFC to keep the bread van rolling. Delivering bread for school lunch programmes, bread & veggies to

food banks and bread for valley seniors.

Cowichan Food Connection Fundraiser

Makes agreat gift!

$1995+TAXES

Find the 2014 E.J. Hughes Calendar at these local businessesSears Duncan

Chemainus Visitor CentreLadysmith Pharmasave

Best Western Cowichan Valley InnOK Tire

Station Street GalleryThe Salvation Army Duncan

Farmhouse PoultyUncle Albert’s Home Furnishings

M&M Meat Shops DuncanMaxwells Auto PartsCobble Stone Barber

Oilcheck Duncan

Serious Coffee (Cowichan Commons)Isherwood Autobody

Galletta Market, CroftonBC Forest Discovery Centre

TD Repairs, ChemainusMorning Mist, Cowichan Bay

Island Bakery, Cobble HillCoffee on the Moon

Original JoesLordco Autoparts

Duncan & LadysmithSolitaire Press

Duncan Christian SchoolChristian Reform Church

Excellent FrameworksLadysmith ChronicleBrentwood College

Shawnigan Lake SchoolVillage Chippery, Shawnigan Lake

Prevost Veterinary Startline Physiotherapy

Crepevine Restaurant, DuncanFlagship Ford

A big ‘thank you ‘ to Michael & Janet from Excellent Frameworks & the E.J. Hughes Gallery for making this years 2014 E.J. Hughes calendar sale possible!


When it comes to happy retirement, Jerry Melissa just keeps pitching ringers

when being

CLOSE counts


Story & photos by Don Bodger

Jerry Melissa played his cards right and that’s enabled him to play golf, horse-shoes and whatever else he’s wanted during his retirement years.� e long-time valley educator socked

his money away, utilized a decent pension and is now reaping the bene� ts by spend-ing part of the year down south and the other half at his Youbou home with wife Eileen after downsizing and retiring.“I’ve been very fortunate,’’ conceded Me-lissa, 71.He heeded some advice many years ago about how to make the most of his retire-ment and followed the game plan so he’s enjoying all the rewards now.“Upon retirement from the workforce in 1997, I returned to horseshoes and golf,’’ Melissa indicated.Since then, he’s won four more B.C. horse-shoe championships to go with the ones he earned previously and was director of golf at Yuma, Arizona’s Cocopah Golf and R.V. Resort from 2007 to 2013.Melissa also won horseshoe tournaments throughout Arizona, California and Ne-vada.Last winter, he resigned as director of golf in Arizona to devote more time to his horseshoes again. He’s now renting a place and wintering in Hemet, California and has already enrolled in � ve prestigious tournaments.

During the summer, Melissa won 12 tour-naments in B.C. and placed second twice.“� e di� erence in both tournaments was one ringer,’’ he noted.Melissa also placed � fth in a strong � eld at the Canadian championships, averaging 63%.“I currently maintain a 61% ringer average despite a damaged right shoulder that must be replaced this spring,’’ he pointed out.While Melissa’s at his Youbou home from April to November, he can be seen riding his Harley to the Youbou Little League Recreation Park during the week.“I practise one hour a day and encourage anyone interested in the game to join me,’’ he indicated.Melissa just departed for the southern climes but before leaving he spent time with his protege, Lindsay Hodgins, a Grade 12 Cowichan Secondary School student who’s become quite serious and good at the game.“I’ll drive miles to give her a game if she wants,’’ said Melissa. “It’s nice to see.’’Hodgins started playing four years ago and just naturally crossed paths with horseshoe fanatic Melissa along the way.“She had a style which was very unique and very e� ective,’’ said Melissa. “As she grew taller, she became stronger and she was just overpowering the peg. All of a sudden, she decided to go to the stand-up.’’



from page 31That worked wonders and Melissa is proud as punch that she won the World Junior Championship. Melissa meets with her at the Hodgins home where her grandpa Wayne is another aficionado of the sport and the three have a great time together.“What I like about her, nothing bothers her,’’ said Melissa. “If I have two ringers on, it doesn’t bother her.’’Horseshoes may not carry the glamour of other sports, but Melissa has done well by it.“There’s no money in the game, but there certainly is a lot of bragging rights and you can see the world,’’ he said. “It’s great.’’There have been long gaps in the game for Melissa, but he actually started play-ing horseshoes in 1972-73, giving up golf for a while at the time.“My dad loved the game, but he was very poor at it,’’ said Melissa.Unlike his dad, Melissa found instant suc-cess in the game at the old Ladysmith Horseshoe Club at Transfer Beach that was one of the island’s best for a long time.“I practised an hour a day from Sept. 30 to May Day weekend,’’ he said. “I went from 0% to 60%. I became an A player right off the bat.’’His horseshoe experience at that time went on until 1983 before he took a break.Melissa coached girls’ and boys’ softball teams and was also involved in ball for many years as an umpire. Throw in his time as a minor hockey executive, bowl-ing and even a one-year stint at curling and Melissa is the epitome of an avid sportsman for life.

“There’s no money in the game, but there certainly is a lot of bragging

rights and you can see the world.’’

Jerry Melissa

Brian Harris

✂

✂

The Happy Denturist30 Years of Competent

& Friendly Service

• Complete Denture Services • In House Lab• Same day Relines/Repairs• Dentures/Partials• Dentures Over Implants• No referral necessary

#7-8377 Chemainus Rd. ChemainusCorner of Crofton and Chemainus Road

250-246-4674


Aboriginal HealthTs’ewulten Health Centre5768 Allenby Rd., DuncanPhone: 250-746-6184

Adult Day ProgramsChemainus Health Care Centre Adult Day ProgramPhone: 250-246-3291

Providence FarmGloria Bond, SAGC Program Coordinator1843 Tzouhalem Rd., DuncanPhone: 250-746-9668

Waldon House Day Program2041 Tzouhalem Rd., Duncanuse entrace off Maple Bay Rd.Phone: 250-737-2037

Community PolicingCowichan Community Policing Advisory SocietyDonna Brooks, President, 2012/136060 Canada Ave., DuncanPhone: c/o 250-701-9146

Duncan Community Policing OfficeCarol-Ann Rolls, Volunteer Prog. & Services3-149 Canada Ave. DuncanPhone: 250-701-9145

Chemainus Community Policing Office9847 Willow St. Chemainus, BCPhone: 250-246-4382

Cowichan Bay Community Policing Office1721 E Cowichan Bay Rd., Cowichan BayPhone: 250-701-1961

South Cowichan Community Policing OfficeJulie Rosenthal, Program Coordinator#120-2720 Mill Bay Rd.Phone: 250-929-7222

Compassionate CareCompassionate ConnectionsLorraine DemersTel: (250) 748-1317

Computer HelpeGurus Technology TutorsGary MarshallToll Free: 1–855–832–4878 Tel: 250-709–4291

Crisis Line SupportVancouver Island Crisis Line1–888–494–3888Emotional support and access to Island-wide community resources. The crisis line operates 24/7/365.

Equipment LoansCanadian Red Cross2–5855 York Rd., DuncanPhone: 250–748–2111 Fax: 250–748–2163

Grandparents SupportParent Support Services Society of BCSandi Halvorsen, Program CoordinatorPhone: 1-877-345-9777

Hair Care ServicesBarb Stewart’s Mobile Hair SalonBarb StewartPhone: 250-483-5043 or250-715-6568

Hearing Healthcare- In HomeAct Hearing & Audiology Inc. Leslie A. Peterson, Registered AudiologistPhone: 250–597–4228

Home Adaptations & RepairsEase-Ability Renovations & Construction Ltd.Dan Nugent Tel: 250-743-19551-866-708-3273 (EASE)Cell 250-588-6843

Handy Mum Home Improvements, Repairs & MaintenanceDominique Daviau970 Shawnigan Mill Bay Rd.Phone: 250-510-3552

Home Garden & Yard CareLush Eco LawnsJohn Close3054 Biscay Rd. Duncan, BC Phone: 250-597-0408

The BarwicksKeith and Katherine BarwickPhone: 250–743–3363

Home PhysiotherapyHome PhysiotherapyHeidi Bovey, PhysiotherapistPhone: 250–701–8876

Home Support – PrivateAbout Time Homecare & Nursing Services Patrick Summers, Manager 104–394 Duncan Street, DuncanPhone: 250–748–0513

Angel Helping Hands Homecare & Companionship Val Taylor, Owner/Operator#6-1040 Trunk Rd., Duncan Phone: 250-746-9946

Harmony Health Care Ltd.John McAlorum, RN, Dir. of OperationsUnit 2A–2753 Charlotte Rd. Duncan, Phone: 250-701-9990

Nurse Next Door Home HealthcareChris Wilkinson, DirectorPhone: 250-748-4357

Pacific Live-in Caregivers Robin Smith, OwnerBox 1771, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1B3 Phone: 250-616-2346

Unique Home Health CareMarsha Todd, Director, Co-ordinator121 Station Street, DuncanPhone: 250-715-1094

We Care Home Health Services205-149 Ingram St. Duncan, BCPhone: 250-746-9224

Home Support – Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA)

Duncan Home and Community Care121 Ingram St. DuncanPhone: 250-737-2004

House CleaningIsland Domestic ServicesSharon Moore, OwnerPO Box 232, Honeymoon BayPhone: 250-710-0864

Housing – Non-Profit, Low Cost Abbeyfield Houses Society of DuncanMarilyn Day, President5905 Indian Rd. DuncanPhone: 250-597-0677

Duncan Kiwanis Village SocietyContact Ron Coulter 355 Day Rd. DuncanPhone: 250-748-4135

Housing – Private Acacia Ty MawrJerri Maw, Director of Care2655 Shawnigan Lake Rd. Phone: 250-743-2124 ext 106

AlpenroseLaura & Bill Loftus2267 Lochsyde Drive, DuncanPhone: 250-748-3803

The Cowichan News Leader Pictorial would like to thank and acknowledge the efforts of the Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation and its volunteers for compiling this resource directory.

It has been edited for space limitations by the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial and in no way is meant to be considered comprehensive. Content inquiries should be sent to: [email protected]

A more comprehensive directory is available at: www.cowichanseniors.ca

COWICHAN SENIORS RESOURCE DIRECTORY


Housing – Privatecontinued Biscay ManorPauline Goetz3034 Biscay RoadDuncan, BC Phone: 250 746-4173

Deertrail Cottage Inc.Laurie Gillis, Owner/Manager1711 Escarpment Way DuncanPhone: 250-746-9641

Dovehill HouseMarguerite Moskalyk3326 Creegan Dr., ChemainusPhone: 250-416-0332

Heritage Manor Care HomeTanya Mosure, Owner1051 College St. Duncan,Phone: 250-748-3488

Lynn’s Senior CareLynn Scott, RCA5085 Jones Rd. LadysmithPhone: 250-245-3391

Nana’s Guest House Sandy Baker, Owner57 Park Rd., Lake Cowichan Phone: 250–749–3326

Pioneer House Bed & BreakfastAlberta Schneider, Owner6470 Burnett Place, DuncanPhone: 250–746–8280

Sherwood HouseAudrey Norman, Manager280 Government St. DuncanPhone: 250-710-8882

Wedgwood HouseLinda Fonck, Manager256 Government St. DuncanPhone: 250-746-9808

Villa del SolCarol Reid, RN647 Frayne Rd. Mill BayPhone: 250-743-7061

Housing — Vancouver Island Health Authority

For details about Assisted Living and Residential Care please phone VIHA’s Home and Community Care at 250-737-2004.

International Health Care International Health Care ProvidersT. Rand Collins, PhD, MDPhone: 250-732-6603

Meals and NutritionGloria’s Food ServiceGloria RamseyPhone: 250-748-9216Meals on Wheelsc/o Cowichan Home Support20-127 Ingram St. DuncanPhone: 250-737-2004

Men’s SupportWest Coast Men’s Support SocietyGrant Waldman213-80 Station St., Duncan, BC250-597-2801

Mental Health SupportDuncan Mental Health and SeniorsCindy Patrick3088 Gibbins Rd. DuncanPhone: 250-709-3040

Moving & DownsizingEvery DetailJane Sheppard2093 Calais Rd. DuncanPhone: 250-748-3626

Forget-Me-Not AssistantsTammi King, Transition FacilitatorPhone: 250-710-7173

Music Therapy ProgramsCreative Music Programs For Today’s Senior Andrew McCormackPhone: 250–737–1888

Non Profit Societies – Senior ServicesCowichan Family Caregivers Support SocietyRanjana Basu, CoordinatorShawnigan LakePhone: 250-743-7621

Cowichan Intercultural SocietyDeborah Conner, Executive Director 205–394 Duncan St., DuncanPhone: 250–748–3112

Cowichan Valley Hospice SocietyShelley Kuecks, Client Intake Coordinator3122 Gibbins Rd. DuncanPhone: 250-701-4242

St. John AmbulanceLori McNeil, Branch Manager205-169 Craig St. DuncanPhone: 250-746-4058

Volunteer CowichanGeorg Stratemeyer, Coordinator1 Kenneth Place DuncanPhone: 250-748-2133

Pet Care — HomestayHomestay Pet CareLeslie Sutton3081 Seahaven Road, Chemainus BC V0R 1K2Email: [email protected]

Seniors GroupsChemainus Seniors Drop In Centre SocietyMurray Shafer, President 9824 Willow Street, ChemainusPhone: 250-246-2111

Crofton Seniors SocietyChristine Hale, President 1507 Joan Street, CroftonPhone: 250-246-2455

Elder CollegeJennifer Carmichael, Recreation Programmer2687 James Street, DuncanPhone: 250-746-0414 or250-748-7529 to register

Ladysmith Seniors Centre SocietyCora Maier, President 220 High Street, Ladysmith Phone: 250–245–8885

Lake Cowichan Seniors CentreJackie Jack, President55 Coronation Street, Lake CowichanPhone: 250-749-6121

South End Seniors Contact: HerbKerry Park Recreation Centre1035 Shawnigan–Mill Bay RoadPhone: 250-743-1171

Valley Seniors Organization of DuncanDon King, President 198 Government Street, DuncanPhone: 250-746-4433

Young Seniors Action Group Society1652 Shawnigan–Mill Bay Road,Shawnigan Lake, BCPhone: 250–743–5178 or 250–743–8344

Service BC and Service Canada Service BC ProgramsMarty Nelson 5785 Duncan St. Duncan, BC Phone: 250-746-1226

Service Canada CentreLinda Granger 211 Jubilee St. DuncanPhone: 1-800-622-6232

Service Clubs Arbutus Travel Clubc/o Corry SalmenPhone: 250-701-0965

Chemainus Masonic Lodge #114Pat Fyffe, Secretary3052 Hawthorne St., ChemainusPhone: 250-246-3579

Cowichan Toastmaster’s Club #950Bill Smith, Club PresidentPhone: 250–701-1705

Duncan Kiwanis ClubRon Colter365 Day Rd., DuncanPhone: 250-748-4135

Duncan Lion’s ClubP.O. Box 52, Duncan, BC V9L 3X1

Duncan Masonic Lodge #33Bob Crawford, Secretary163 Canada Ave., Duncan, BCPhone: 250-748-1028

COWICHAN SENIOrS rESOurCE DIrECTOrY


Service Clubs continuedDuncan Order of the Eastern Star, Sunset ChapterAnn VossbergPhone: 250-748-9480

Elks Club of DuncanTerry W Sayce, Exalted Ruler P.O. Box 277, Duncan Phone: 250-746-6812

Fraternal Order of Eagles, Chemainus-Crofton #4400Merv Brown / Bill Yearly, SecP.O. Box 45, Chemainus, BC V0R 1K0Phone: 250-246-3401

Fraternal Order of Eagles, Duncan #2546Tracy Norman, Secretary2965 Jacob Road, DuncanPhone: 250-746-7100

Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ladysmith #2101P.O. Box 640, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A5Phone: 250-245-3183

Kinsmen Club of DuncanBarry Toporowski, President Email: [email protected]

Ladysmith Kinsmen ClubDuck Patterson, Life MemberP.O. Box 324, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A3Phone: 250-245-2263

Ladysmith Masonic Lodge #21 Joel Chiri, SecretaryP.O. Box 261, Ladysmith, V9G 1A2Phone: 250-245-4797

Lion’s Club of Duncan Housing SocietyP.O. Box 52, Duncan, BC V9L 3X1Phone: 250-748-1044

Lion’s Club of LadysmithJim Masyk, SecretaryP.O. Box 2293, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1B8Phone: 250-245-4049

Mill Bay Masonic Lodge #1072748 Lashburn Rd.Mill Bay, BC

Rotary Club, ChemainusRichard Nelson, PresidentP.O. Box 297, Chemainus, V0R 1K0Phone: 250-245-4549

Rotary Club, DuncanRoger Hart, SecretaryP.O. Box 473, Duncan, V9L 3X8Phone: 250-715-3039

Rotary, Duncan Daybreak Holger Heitland, President www.clubrunner.ca/duncandaybreak/ Rotary Club, LadysmithMichael Furlot, SecretaryP.O. Box 875, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A6Phone: 250-245-5771 or 250-245-2052

Rotary Club, South CowichanPeter Dicken, President P.O. Box 241, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L0Phone: 250-743-6727www.southcowichanrotary.org

Royal Canadian Legion, Chemainus Branch #191Marianne Mann, Office Manager P.O. Box 423, Chemainus, BC V0R 1K0Phone: 250-246-4532

Royal Canadian Legion, Cowichan Branch #53Bruce MacDonald, President Kenneth St., Duncan, BC V9L 1N3Phone: 250-746-5013

Royal Canadian Legion, Ladysmith Branch #171Georgina Lorette, SecretaryAllyson Wagner, Secretary P.O. Box 219, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A2Phone: 250-245-3031 or 250-245-2273

Royal Canadian Legion, Lake Cowichan Branch #210Sam Jones, Bar ManagerP.O. Box 603, Lake Cowichan, BC V0R 2G0Phone: 250-749-6041

Royal Canadian Legion, Shawnigan Lake Branch #1341652 Shawnigan-MillBay RdPhone: 250-743-4621

Women of the MoosePat KingPO Box 371, Duncan, BC V9L 3X5Phone: 250-746-7382

Support Societies, Disease RelatedAlzheimer Society of BCJane HopePhone:1-800-462-2833

Canadian Cancer SocietyMaureen Hyde100-394 Duncan St., DuncanPhone: 250-746-4134

Canadian Red Cross H.E.L.P. Program2–5855 York Rd., Duncan, BC Phone: 250–748–2111 Fax: 250–748–2163

Cowichan Valley Arthritis SocietyJan NorwoodBox 942, Duncan, BC V9L 3Y8Phone: 250-748-2481

Diabetes Education ProgramKathy Park121 Ingram St., DuncanPhone: 250-737-2004

Duncan Mental Health and SeniorsCindy Patrick3088 Gibbins Rd., DuncanPhone: 250-709-3040

Heart and Stroke FoundationJanice Krall, Area Manager401-495 Dunsmuir St., NanaimoPhone: 1-888-754-5274

Kidney FoundationHeather Johnson, Director of Programs 200-4940 Canada Way, BurnabyPhone: 1-800-567-8112

Stroke Recovery Assoc.- Cowichan Valley BranchCowichan Valley Public Library2687 James St., DuncanPhone: 250–246-4952

Support Group for Low VisionSeniorsKaren McClincheyPhone: 250-746-6041

Therapy Dog VisitsTherapy Dog Visitation Program,

St. John Ambulance205–169 Craig St. DuncanPhone: 250–746–4058

TransportationCowichan Seniors Community Foundation135 Third St., DuncanPhone: 250-715-6481

Cowichan Valley Regional Transit#3-5280 Polkey Rd., DuncanPhone: 250-746-9899Web: www.busonline.ca

handyDart1 Kenneth Place, DuncanPhone: 250-748-1230

Wheels for Wellness Society1894 Bolt Avenue, ComoxPhone: 250-338-0196

COWiCHAn SEniORS RESOuRCE DiRECTORy

For more details and updates go to: www.cowichanseniors.ca

Cowichan Independent Living

Medical Equipment Loans Sales & Batteries

PARKING PERMITSINFORMATION ADVOCACY

PEER SUPPORT103 - 121 First St

(by Coffee on The Moon)Duncan, BC V9L 1R1

Visit us and see our full range of Medical equipment & scooter batteries.

Charity donation receipts are available.

250-746-3930 Ext. [email protected]

www.cvilrc.bc.ca

“Your Disability Resource Centre”


by Patrick Hrushowy

What is retirement today? Are Baby Boomers prepared for it? Is it about money,

lifestyle or working longer? What should people be thinking about beyond the amount of money tucked away for retire-ment?Increasingly, those reaching the traditional retirement age of 65 engage in a transition rather than a rapid cessation of paid work.And the reason is pretty simple: more than half the population nearing that fate-ful time does not have su� cient savings to maintain anything near their pre-retire-ment lifestyle.All of this points to the need for some pretty serious thinking and planning by both governments and institutions, and those moving into the so-called golden years.� is is top-of-mind stu� for � nancial planner and aging adviser Chuck � omp-son, past chair of the Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation and current board member. � ompson is also a certi� ed professional consultant on aging. He and other local professionals, who provide services that seniors increasing demand, have formed the Intelligent Aging Advisory Panel. � e group recently completed a day-long ses-sion where they o� ered to educate seniors on matters they may be concerned about.For � ompson, retirement savings are ex-tremely important and he is cognizant of studies that show boomers are generally not well-prepared for ending work at or around age 65. But, he cautions, those studies are based on people wanting to more or less main-tain their lifestyle. If the money is not there, certain serious choices will have to be made.For many people lifestyle maintenance means keeping up the level of consumer-ism they have been accustomed to. “We have to keep on buying junk,”

� ompson said. “We want this to con-tinue and that is expensive.”A recent study done for the Bank of Mon-treal showed boomers anticipate the need for a $658,000 retirement nest egg but re-port having put away only about $228,000 on average. � at’s a whopping $430,000 shortfall. Options are limited to overcome this hur-dle and about 70% realize retirement will have to be delayed and at least some form of part-time work taken on. About one-third in the study reported they expect to have to sell their home and another 19% plan to rent out part of their home.� ompson says these are important issues and people will face all kinds of changes and choices.

But money itself is just one of the chal-lenges aging creates.He quotes statistics that are jaw-dropping. For instance, one in � ve people entering retirement age today will live to age 95. In Canada there are 1,000 people turning 65 each and every day. � at means each and every day there are 200 more people who will reach age 95.“People will be living longer and will be living longer with incapacity,” he said. He points out that the numbers show that for every couple retiring, one of the pair will require up to 10 years of support for incapacity from another individual be-fore they die. And, � ompson adds: “� e person pro-viding the care will be 65 per cent more likely to require care themselves.”At what age is that likely to occur? � ompson suggests if an individual largely escapes serious health issues in their life,

the onset of incapacity is likely to kick in during the mid-to-late 70s.� is brings on another serious challenge: who will care for boomers as they age?An American study says shifting demo-graphics mean aging boomers will have fewer friends and family to take care of them into their 80s. � is will exacerbate the emotional and � nancial pressures weighing on families.� ompson concurs: “� e family dynamic has changed tremendously; family pitch-ing in to help is much less likely to occur.”While this is a challenge for the retiree, it represents an enormous opportunity to create businesses around incapacity care, � ompson says.Another reality is that government op-tions for providing aging support are nar-rowing. Studies show as the boomer de-mographic bulge works its way through the system, there will be a much smaller cohort of productively employed people to carry the tax load.All of this suggests to � ompson society will be changing its view and de� nition of retirement.Working is not such a bad thing, says � ompson. “Why sit at home? � e important thing for all of us is to feel useful.”� ompson had his own experience with an aging mother that ultimately prompted him to get involved with aging issues. � e Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation exists to identify the gaps in services for seniors, encourages others to � ll those gaps, and steps in to � ll them it-self where required.� e foundation is involved in or supports the following programs: Stroke Recovery Association outreach program, Boost Your Brain Power, Cowichan Family Caregiv-er’s Society Keeping in Touch program, Volunteer Driving Program and Big Brothers Big Sisters – Seniors In-School Mentoring Program.� ompson is really big on the Brain Pow-er program. “� e more you use your brain the better o� you are,” he said. “� at is why you want to keep working.”

REDEFININGretirement

Lack of a nest egg, shifting family dynamic gives over-65 a new meaning for the Baby Boomer generation

“The more you use your brain the better off you are.

That is why you want to keep working.”

Chuck Thompson


Since opening The Mongrillian restaurant in November 2011, owner and head chef Ha Tran says “it’s stronger and stronger.’’“Now it’s been three years,

there’s a lot of people knowing about it,’’ he says.Mongrillian essentially means Mongolian stir-fry and that’s the specialty of the res-taurant located at Berkey’s Corner.“You kind of pick and choose what you like and I cook it up,’’ says Tran, 54, who was born in Vietnam and went to Ma-laysia at the age of 23 before coming to Canada and winding up in Fort St. John.“Everything has to be fresh and clean. I’ve got about 37 different veggies and meat and seafood.’’There’s also a variety of sauces from mild to medium to smokin’ hot to go with it.Tran says people like having a choice of what food they want in their stir fry, rather than being “stuck’’ with certain items.

“Everyone is different,’’ he says. “Even in a family, a kid doesn’t like an onion. They don’t have to pick the onion.“It fits the whole family. They’re excited about it. They grab a bowl and ‘I like this, I like that.’’’The average cost is $10 to $12 per meal and soup comes with it. The selected items are weighed and then the price is deter-mined at $9.99 per pound.Those who aren’t into Mongolian stir fry have many other menu choices.“I do have some Vietnamese food and some Chinese food,’’ says Tran.And there’s even burgers such as the Ulti-mate Mongrillian that includes a quarter pound of beef, a fried egg, bacon, caramel-ized onions and mushrooms with cheddar cheese on a sesame bun with lettuce and tomato, served with fries, for the big ap-petite that goes for $10.95.Tran’s background in the restaurant busi-

ness is extensive, particularly when he lived in Nanaimo for 10 years from 1986 to ‘96.“In Nanaimo, I had three of them at one time — too much for me,’’ he says.Tran, who has two grown children, has been in Duncan since ‘96. He’s owned the block on the corner of Cowichan Lake and Sherman Roads and ran a gas bar and convenience store before closing it down to concentrate on the restaurant and a laundromat.Tran and his wife work at the restaurant and have two other employees.“I like it. I really enjoy it,’’ he says.“The customers they’ve been in here be-fore, they always come back for it. We have new people every day.’’Tran says the Mongolian stir fry concept is unique. “The whole island, nobody has it,’’ he says.Choices include: chick peas, carrots, broc-coli, cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage, Thai and regular mushrooms, red onions, water chestnuts and much more.“I’ve got a little bit of everything,’’ says Tran.He bills the food as “fresh, healthy and delicious.’’The restaurant is open for lunch and din-ner six days a week, Monday through Sat-urday, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Mongolian stir fry the speciality at Berkey’s Corner restaurant with

DonBodger

You’ve got to taste

this

themongrillian


Are you an organ and tissue donor? I thought I was. I remem-ber many years ago agree-ing to become one when I

was renewing my driver’s licence. But after talking to Shelley Hunt and Jessica Royan, and noticing it no longer indicated that I was a donor on my li-cence, I wasn’t so sure.“Canada’s organ donation rate is among the world’s worst,” Jessica told me. “It’s become a national crisis and people are needlessly suffering and dying because of it.”Since people are no longer asked if they’d like to be a donor when registering for car insurance, there has been a signifi-cant decline in donors, yet the need for them has continued to increase.When Shelley and Jess learned of our nation’s plight, and the fact a minuscule 15 out of every million people actually become organ donors, they decided to create the “Because I Can Project” to accomplish two things: create aware-ness about Canada’s organ shortage, and petition for a change to the registration process.The compassionate young women, and their new project partner Levi Sampson,

are proposing an opt-out program since it has been so successful in other coun-tries.“Spain is ranked as the world’s highest for organ donations,” Jessica said. “They are an excellent model for Canada and other countries like the United States that desperately need a better system as well.”With a new legislation recognizing each person of a legal age is a presumed or-gan donor, this would mean people would have to de-register their name if they didn’t want to participate.“This wouldn’t impinge on a person’s right to decide the fate of their organs,” she said. “But since 95% of people say they would accept an organ if they need-ed one, and nearly the same amount say they would want to be a donor in the event of their own death, it makes more sense to assume most people would want in than out.”Deceased donors can save the lives of up to eight people, and help dozens more. Shelley, the mother of two young chil-dren, isn’t waiting until she dies before

becoming a donor, though. She signed up to anonymously donate her kidney. Since meeting a five-year-old boy named Aiden who is in extreme need of one himself, she is now in a partner exchange with him.“I’m not a match,” she said. “But because we’re partnered, that means that as soon as I’m able to give my kidney to some-one, he will be moved to the top of the list and get one as well.”Shelley has received some criticism and concern for risking her life, but after ex-tensive research on becoming a live do-nor, she is confident in her decision and the safety of the procedure.“It might seem crazy, but it will actu-ally put me in a safer position than most other Canadians. When you be-come a live donor, you’re automatically moved to the top of the list, and if I ever need an organ in the future, I’ll get one sooner.”My friend Debbie Dupasquier donated her kidney to her mother a couple of years ago, and my friend David Knowles donated his kidney to his daughter a few years before that. In both cases the operations were a huge success.Please go to BecauseICanProject.com and check to see if you’re a donor. I was pleased to find out that I still am.Please also sign the petition provided on the site to change registration to the opt-out program. Once this happens, as in Spain, waiting lists will cease to exist in our country.

You can help change the law and save some lives

On a Brighter

Notewith Lori Welbourne

Deceased donors can save the lives of up to eight people, and help dozens more


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