the centre piece - winter 2017

Winter 2017 Burlington Seniors’ Centre Magazine Volume 11, Issue 1

Centre PieceTHE

Printed, published and distributed by the City of Burlington Parks and Recreation Department, through the Burlington Seniors’ Centre.

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1THE CENTRE PIECE / Winter 2017

Features

2 Keep Warm This Winter Maddy Berki

2 Update for the Members at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre

Rob Axiak , Manager of Recreation

3 Volunteers at the Heart of All We Do Mandy Newnham, Supervisor of Recreation

6 Instuctor Spotlight: Kim DeBon Maddy Berki

12 Where My World Began Lesia Gould

14 Love and Friendship for the Later Dater Calah Brooks

17 An Ordinary Life John Corvese

18 November Morning Kim DeBon

19 What Philosophy of Life? Wendy Kormos

21 Head’s Up! Dick Cappon

24 Aging: Telltale signs the hard drive is slowing down

Penny Heneke

26 The Breakfast at the Bistro Schedule

Health

4 Culinary Delights from The Bistro Chef Michael Gris

7 Therapy Laser Treatment Burlington Cat Hospital

8 Influenza Lawrence Leung

16 Aging Happy & Healthy Danielle St.Aubin-Chapman

20 Free Shingles Vaccine Now Available

Events

28 Winter Events Schedule Events and Important Dates

The Centre Piece Volume 10 Issue 4

Printed, published and distributed by the City of Burlington Parks and Recreation Department, through the Burlington Seniors’ Centre.

Centre Piece Editor:

Kim DeBon [email protected]

Centre Piece Advertising Sales Manager:

Jackie Ellicott [email protected]

Staff Contacts

Burlington Seniors’ Centre 2285 New Street (Central Park) 905-335-7888 www.burlington.ca/adult55

Mandy Newnham, ext. 6339 Supervisor of Recreation

Jackie Ellicott, ext. 6340 Recreation Coordinator

Maddy Berki, ext. 6341 Recreation Coordinator

Marcia Huibers, ext. 6343 Recreation Programmer

Customer Service, ext. 6336 or ext. 6337

Tansley Woods Community Centre 905-332-1996

Brant Hills Community Centre 905-335-7720

Publishing of advertisements in The Centre Piece does not indicate endorsement or recommendation by the City of Burlington for any products or services featured in the magazine.

Contents Inside this issue

On the coverCome join us in The Bistro where you will meet new friends and enjoy healthy and nourishing meals prepared by Chef Michael Gris.

THE CENTRE PIECE / Winter 20172

Update for Members of the Burlington Seniors’ CentreBy: Rob Axiak, Manager of Recreation

The Burlington Seniors’ Centre continues to be the place to be for anyone 55+! Our membership has never been as high as it is today with 3800 members. Staff have been working hard planning the winter program line up which includes many new programs such as: Calligraphy- Beginner, Pilates Advanced and Guitar – Beginner to name a few!

As you may have heard, the agreement between the City of Burlington and the Burlington Seniors’ Centre Inc (BSCI) ended on Dec. 31, 2015. Following a lengthy internal review, the City has decided to conclude our relationship with this organization. We wish to thank the BSCI for their contributions to the Centre.

The City will now be directly delivering select events, day trips and the operation of the Bistro with the help of our dedicated volunteers. All other programs and services, including the overall operation of the facility have been, and will continue to be run by the City. This transition will have no impact on service to the members of the Burlington

Seniors’ Centre. Please join us at any or all of the upcoming events below which will continue to run as planned.

Events and Day Trips

Annual Christmas Dinner: Saturday December 10th Robbie Burns Dinner: Saturday January 21 Rhythm of the Dance: Thursday March 16

Thank you for your continued participation in the activities and programs at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre. We look forward to a new year and a new session full of activity and friendship.

Keep Warm This WinterBy Maddy Berki, Recreation Coordinator

With the crisp autumn air steadily turning to cool winter winds, there is no denying that winter is on its way. After the long hot summer we had though, I am looking forward to the cooler weather, but maybe not shoveling the snow!

The cool air and snow may make us want to stay curled up inside away from the cold but there are some great ways to warm up with our Adult 55+ programs at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre and locations throughout the city. Get your heart pumping with a fitness class, ignite your creative fire in one of our arts classes, warm your hands on a hot cup of tea from the Bistro or simply enjoy the warmth of friendship. However you decide to warm up with us this winter, we look forward to another great session with you!

In the fall, we updated the program layout in our Live & Play Guide and Program Booklet to make it easier to find programs happening in your neighbourhood. Programs are now advertised by age, location and then by program category. For example, if you live near Tansley Woods Community Centre, instead of searching for Tansley Woods’ programs through the entire program listing, you can now flip to the Tansley Woods section and see all programs available at that location - an easier and more efficient way to shop for your programs!

You may have also noticed that we offer two different age categories: Adults 19+ and Adults 55+. Adult 19+ programming is for anyone 19 - 109 years of age, whereas 55+ programs are reserved to participants 55 years and older. Make sure you take a look at our 19+ programs so you are not missing out!

As the older adult population continues to grow, our team continues to create more recreation opportunities city wide. We now offer programming at Active Aldershot, Brant Hills Community Centre, Burlington Seniors’ Centre, Central Arena, Haber Recreation Centre, Lowville, Music Centre, and Tansley Woods Community Centre. There are also many swimming and skating programs available City Wide that are open to Adults 55+. Try an Aquafit class at Tansley Woods, Senior Lap Swim at Burlington Centennial Pool, Senior Shinny at Appleby Ice Centre, Sticks and Pucks at Central Arena and many more! Pick up a Live & Play Guide at any of our community centres for more information on swimming and skating programs.

Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season and a safe, active and enjoyable Winter Session.


Volunteers at the heart of all we doBy: Mandy Newnham, Supervisor of Recreation

Did you know we have five distinct volunteer teams at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre and approximately 100 dedicated individuals who give of their time to contribute to our centre?

These Volunteer Teams include:1. Events and Day Trips - organizing, setting up, guiding,

serving

2. Program leadership – teaching, mentoring, partnering with those who need assistance

3. Administration – mailings, front desk support, data inputting

4. Bistro – food prep, dishes, serving

5. Fundraising – Boutique Ladies traditional handmade sales

Casual or Permanent Positions

Each of these areas has a core group of dedicated volunteers who offer their time on a regular weekly schedule. But there are also many who hold “alternate” backup roles in case a replacement is needed. There are others who remain in our Volunteer database ready for a call to offer casual one-time assistance, and still another group who are on waiting lists ready to assist once a role becomes available.

Our Centre has many ways that volunteers can get involved! Some people come to our front desk asking if there are volunteer positions available, and others are referred through volunteer organizations, but the vast majority are referred by their friends who are already volunteering with us. We know that by creating a welcoming environment in which volunteers can be with friends, meet others who share their interests, and learn new skills, we can attract even the busiest people into helping roles!

Volunteer Application Process

Come to the front desk any time and ask for a volunteer application form! You can expect us to contact you, meet with you to better understand your interests or skills, and then find you the first available position that fits into

your schedule. Remember, we are most interested in your desire, professionalism, and ability to demonstrate a caring attitude.

Typically, we will:

1. introduce you to your team leader so you always know who to ask any question to

2. teach you about your role

3. have you shadow another volunteer

4. provide you with any instruction and training required, and

5. check-in with you regularly to make sure that you feel the position is the right work for you If it’s not, we’ll listen to your ideas and try another job match, until we find something that works well.

The Burlington Seniors’ Centre is the place to meet friends and enjoy every kind of recreation activity, but it also a place to find purpose by giving the precious gift of time in order to benefit others. Ask how you can be a part of our tradition of giving today.


By Chef Michael Bistro Cafe at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre

Classic Italian BologneseOne of the first dishes I ever learned how to make was a simple classic Italian Bolognese sauce. I was five years old and I was so proud of myself. I told my family I wanted to make it every day.

Fast forward to thirty-five years later: my wife and I were the owners and operators of an Italian restaurant where I made, you guessed it, Bolognese sauce every day for almost four years straight.

Are you familiar with the expression “be careful what you wish for”?

Ingredients:1. 1 lb of lean ground beef (or you can use a mix of beef

and pork or beef/veal/pork if your supermarket has it)2. 1 28 oz can of plumb tomatoes (get the ones packed in

puree with basil added, not water or juice)3. 2 cloves of garlic minced4. 1 small onion diced5. 2 tbsp of olive oil (or vegetable oil)6. 1 tbsp dried oregano7. 1 bay leaf8. salt and pepper to taste and a pinch of sugar9. 1/2 cup of red or white wine (optional)

Preparation:

In a medium sized skillet or saucepan over medium high heat, add your oil and your ground meat and sear until totally browned. This step is important, so use a wooden spoon and scrape the bottom of the pan and stir often until you are sure all the meat is seared. When it is, add your wine (or use water if you choose not to use wine) and deglaze the pan, making sure to use the wooden spoon and scrape any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan (again, very important). Add your garlic and onion and saute for a minute longer. Turn the heat down to low at this point and add in your can of tomatoes (crush them with your hands before putting them in the pot) along with the rest of your ingredients. Simmer for at least one hour, adjust seasoning if necessary.

Culinary Delights From The BistroUse this sauce to top your favourite shaped pasta, or perhaps a baked potato, or even mashed potatoes. My favourite is over some soft polenta (use the instant kind) with some grated Parmesan cheese. It’s also great as a stand-alone meal with some fresh bread and butter. This sauce can be left in the fridge for up to three days, and it freezes well for several months. You can get several meals from this one recipe, but you won’t have to cook it every single day, for four years straight, like I did.

Buon Appetito!

The Bistro Café at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre

Enjoy freshly prepared soups, sandwiches, hot lunches, and baked goods. Hot and cold beverages also available.

Hours of OperationMonday-Friday, 9am-3pmLunch is served from 11:30am-2pm


Instructor Spotlight: Kim DeBon

By Kim DeBon and Maddy Berki

Get to know one of our new instructors, Kim DeBon! Kim joined our team in Fall 2016 and is teaching three new writing classes which you may have seen in our program booklet: Narrative and Memoir Writing, Poetry: Uncovering the Poet Within, and The Short Story: Constructing People and Places. These exciting new programs are offered at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre and Tansley Woods Community Centre. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Trent University, Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University, Master of Arts in English Literature from University of Toronto and an Ontario Principals’ Certification. Learn more about her experiences and passion for teaching in her own (well written!) words below and be sure to try her classes this Winter!

Having always been passionate about reading, writing, and learning, I feel very fortunate to have combined all three “loves” in my career as an English literature and writing instructor. I have been teaching University Preparatory courses for 22 years at some of the most exciting and innovative Independent schools in southern Ontario. I have also been able to combine my love for travel, languages, and culture, by teaching overseas in Italy, during 4 separate sessions, the most recent being 2014-15. In addition to teaching, I also provide services as a private tutor and corporate editor.

In all of the schools I have taught, I have been the driving force behind publishing collections of student writing and artistic work. Seeing one’s work go from an idea, to a rough draft, to a final polished and refined piece which is fit for publication, is truly a rewarding accomplishment, an experience I have had as a poet and one which I hope will inspire others to continue to submit their own unique writing pieces to this magazine. Listening to one another’s voices, either spoken or in our case, written, is so important in today’s extroverted, impatient, and often aggressive, world.

I was raised in Niagara-on-the-Lake and I am lucky to have a very supportive and loving family, most of whom still reside there. I live in Burlington with my husband and 6-year-old daughter. Aside from reading and writing, my hobbies include the theatre, hiking, travelling, yoga and all sports really. I was a Varsity volleyball player at university and still enjoy playing volleyball, golf, baseball, tennis, and badminton.

Why do I love teaching? I don’t even call it teaching anymore... It really is learning. I learn just as much from my students as I hope they learn from me. I like to think of my classroom as a “sanctuary for the soul”, a place where all types of people can read, listen, and discuss things that matter: philosophy, ideas, culture, art, and the human condition which connects us all. Teaching is a pleasure and privilege, a true vocation for me.


Therapy Laser TreatmentBy Dr. Katherine O’Connor Burlington Cat Hospital

Cats, as we all know, are an incredibly unique species. Unfortunately, sometimes this uniqueness has its disadvantages. When faced with the fact that our cats have a medical condition which causes pain, we are extremely limited in how we can help our feline friends. Most analgesic (pain killing) drugs are not metabolized well by cats, which means that they simply aren’t safe for long-term use. This is where laser therapy comes in. We are very excited to introduce this non-invasive method to treat acute and chronic pain, wound healing, stomatitis, and soft-tissue injury.

Low-level laser therapy employs light energy to stimulate healing and reduce pain as well as counter conditions, such as arthritis. The mitochondria (energy-producing parts of cells) absorb the photon-based energy and store it. This then provides the cells and tissues with more energy to synthesize the necessary chemicals and nutrients that facilitate cell repair. The laser light subdues inflammation by modulating the chemicals that cause it.

None of us wants to see our cats in pain, but the fact remains that most cats will experience the pain of arthritis and joint degeneration by their middle to late years. However, slowing down need not be a part of their aging process anymore. By utilizing the technology of the laser, we can improve quality of life for your cat by allowing them to live pain free.

Benefits include:

1. Non-surgical treatment

2. No patient sedation or restraint is required. Most cats purr right through their treatment!

3. Can be combined with other medications or supplements as required. Often, using the laser therapy, medications can be decreased or even eliminated over time.

4. Immediate results: most treated pets feel better in 12-24 minutes after the first treatment

5. Speeds healing process after surgery or injury

Reduce Pain - Improve Mobility Enhance Quality of LIfe

Professional Handyman

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Some of the services that I provide:

- Drywalling & tiling - Painting - Interior doors installed - Closet systems installed - Flooring installed - Wood work - Minor plumbing - Bathroom & kitchen renovations - Lawn care

Contact Chris at 905-334-4762 or [email protected]

Insured Free estimates.


By Lawrence Leung Brant Pharmacy

The flu is a respiratory (i.e., nose, throat, and lung) infection that can be caused by a variety of influenza viruses. Many people use the word “flu” when they actually have a cold. Although the common cold is also caused by viruses, the flu and common cold differ in several ways.

In North America, the flu almost always strikes between November and April. Up to 25% of the population may be infected in an average year. Stronger epidemics (i.e., when the flu occurs in more people than expected in a given area or season) come every 2 or 3 years, infecting twice as many people as during an “regular” year.

Most people who get the flu will recover within 1 to 2 weeks, but some people are at risk of developing complications such as pneumonia. On average, about 4,000 to 8,000 people in Canada die each year from complications of influenza, and about 20,000 people with the flu are hospitalized. Most of these people have other medical conditions, are seniors, or are very young children.

Influenza is contagious, which means it can be spread easily from person to person. Viruses that cause influenza spread from person to person mainly by droplets of respiratory fluids sent through the air when someone infected with the virus coughs or sneezes. Other people inhale the airborne virus and can become infected.

InfluenzaIn some cases, the flu can be spread when someone touches a surface (e.g., doorknobs, countertops, telephones) that has the virus on it and then touches his or her nose, mouth, or eyes. The flu is most easily spread in crowded places such as schools and offices.

There are three families of influenza virus: A, B, and C. Type C more commonly affects ducks, geese, turkeys, and chickens, but it has also been involved in a small percentage of human cases. Type B mainly affects humans and causes a milder disease, and it changes very little from year to year.

Type A influenza poses the most serious problems for humans. Strains of this type have also been found in birds, humans, horses, pigs, seals, whales, and ferrets. Viruses that affect two different species sometimes combine and mix-and-match genetic information to create a new strain that nobody is immune to and for which no vaccine has been prepared.

There are potentially infinite new varieties of type A influenza. Avian flu is a type of influenza A that had been seen only in birds, including chickens and ducks, until 1997 when the first human case was reported in Hong Kong. Although the avian flu affected mostly animals, it did cause a few cases of severe disease with a high risk of death in humans. Many birds were slaughtered in Hong Kong to prevent the disease from spreading.

In early 2004, outbreaks of the avian flu re-emerged in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia,


China, and Indonesia. Human cases have been reported in Vietnam and Thailand. Millions of chickens have been affected and killed in the countries listed in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease.

Swine flu is another type of influenza A that is normally found in pigs. Swine flu is passed from pig to pig, and although it usually only infects pigs, there have been periodic infections in humans, resulting in H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu). Most of these cases occur in people with direct exposure to pigs (e.g., people working on pig farms). Person-to-person transmission of the H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) does occur, but it is not clear how easily the virus is spread among people.

The flu takes 1 to 4 days to incubate in humans, but infected people become contagious before symptoms appear, often just the day after the virus enters the body. Adults remain infectious (i.e., they can spread the virus to others) for about 6 days, and children remain infectious for up to 10 days.

Initial flu symptoms include headaches, chills, and a cough. Symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and muscle aches soon follow. Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are rare in adults but more common in children.

Since many people think they have the flu when it’s actually a bad cold, the below table is a quick guide to help you tell the difference.

For most people, the flu lasts 1 or 2 weeks, but it can last for up to 1 month. The main complications are secondary bacterial infections of the sinuses or lungs (pneumonia). Symptoms include fever; chills; and yellow, green, or brown sputum (nasal discharge). Children are prone to ear infections like otitis media.

People in nursing homes are at a higher risk of complications from flu because they may have weak immune systems and often have other medical problems. People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or congestive heart failure are also at a higher risk of developing bacterial infections like pneumonia.

In American studies, influenza hospitalization rates for children under 5 years of age were second only to the hospitalization rate in people over 65 years of age. School--aged children have the highest infection rates both during and between epidemics, and they are likely to be infected early in the season. Households with school-aged children have infection rates 30% above the average rate.

Since the symptoms of an influenza infection are very different from the common cold, the diagnosis can be made fairly quickly. Your doctor will be able to tell that you have the flu if you have at least some or most of these symptoms:

1. Aches and pains everywhere, especially in the back and legs

2. Bad headache

3. Burning sensation in the chest

4. Dry cough at first, then bringing up sputum

5. High fever

6. Nausea and possible vomiting

7. Sore throat

8. Runny or stuffy nose

9. Extreme tiredness

If there is any doubt, your doctor can make sure that it’s the flu by taking a throat swab and testing it for the virus. This is rarely needed.

Symptom Cold Flu

Fever uncommon usually present, high (38°C to 41°C or 102°F to 104°F); lasts 3 to 4 days

headache uncommon very commonaches and pains slight common and often severefatigue and weakness mild significant; can last 2 to 3 weeksextreme exhaustion never very common at the startStuffy nose common Sometimessneezing common SometimesSore throat common Sometimes

chest discomfort and cough mild to moderate, hacking cough common; often severe with painful cough


The normal treatment for flu is rest and plenty of liquids. Treatment also includes ways to prevent spreading the flu virus, such as proper hand washing, keeping common surfaces clean, and coughing or sneezing into your arm or sleeve.

Medications for specific symptoms can help. Cough suppressants can be used for cough. Acetylsalicylic acid* (ASA), ibuprofen, or acetaminophen can be used to treat symptoms of the flu, such as aches and fever. Children and teenagers with flu shouldn’t take ASA or other salicylates (medications related to ASA, such as salsalate or magnesium salicylate). The combination of influenza and ASA is linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition affecting the brain and liver. Many over-the--counter cold medications contain ASA or other salicylates. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this.

Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like flu and the cold, but they are prescribed for complications such as bacterial infections.

Antiviral medications are sometimes used to treat the flu. These medications can help shorten the duration of the flu and reduce symptoms if they are taken within 2 days of the start of symptoms. Antiviral medications are also recommended to prevent flu infection for some people. Antivirals can be used to prevent flu in children and adults after they come into close contact with a person who has the flu, such as flu-infected people who live in the same household. Generally, this is not recommended for most people; however, antivirals may be recommended for people at risk for flu complications. In these situations, antiviral medications should be started as soon as possible after becoming exposed to the person with the flu. Your doctor can decide whether you should start antiviral medications.

Amantadine is an antiviral but is usually not recommended for influenza A treatment because many of these viruses are resistant to it. However, if tests show the virus to be sensitive to amantadine, it can shorten the duration of symptoms if taken within 24 to 48 hours of symptoms appearing. It can also be used to prevent type A flu in certain circumstances. It carries some risk of side effects, including insomnia and confusion. Amantadine does not work against type B viruses.

Zanamivir and oseltamivir are antiviral medications that can be used to treat and prevent influenza A. They prevent newly formed viruses from escaping the infected

cells that produced them. This limits further spread of the virus in the body. Zanamivir is an inhaled spray, whereas oseltamivir is a pill. Taken within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of illness, these medications reduce the duration of symptoms by an average of 1 to 3 days.

Flu antibodies can prevent the flu. The only ways to generate antibodies are to be infected or to get vaccinated. Because the flu viruses can change from year to year, vaccination needs to be repeated every year.

Each spring, a worldwide network of physicians and testing labs decide which flu strains are likely to cause trouble and design that year’s vaccine accordingly. The vaccine gives resistance to the type B strain and the two type A strains that are expected to predominate in the coming flu season.

The vaccine is over 80% effective in preventing flu in healthy adults, which means there is still a chance that you can get the flu - although your symptoms may be milder. The flu vaccine is given to anyone classified as the high risk for flu complications, and for people who are caregivers, health workers, and anyone who wants to avoid the flu. The flu vaccine is free in Ontario, and universal vaccination is encouraged.

High-risk groups for flu complications include:• Anyone aged 65 years or older• Young children under 5 years old (especially if they are

less than 2 years old)• People with underlying medical conditions, including

people with:• Asthma and other chronic lung diseases (e.g.,

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], cystic fibrosis)

• Diabetes• Heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease,

congestive heart failure, congenital heart disease)• Chronic kidney or liver disease• A weakened immune system (immunocompromised),

which can be caused by:• HIV/AIDS, an infection that attacks the immune

system• Cancer• Medications for certain conditions, such as:

• Organ transplants: steroids, medications that suppress the immune system to prevent it from rejecting the organ (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil)

Influenza continued...


• Cancer: chemotherapy• Certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid

arthritis: steroids, biologics (medications that modify the response of the immune system, such as adalimumab or infliximab), medications that suppress the immune system to prevent it from attacking the body (e.g., methotrexate, azathioprine)

• Crohn’s disease: steroids, biologics (see above), or medications to suppress the immune system

• Blood disorders (e.g., anemia, sickle cell anemia)• Neurologic and neurodevelopmental disorders that

affect their ability to swallow and breathe• Morbid obesity (BMI of 40 or higher)

• Residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities, regardless of age

• Children receiving long-term ASA therapy• Pregnant women (especially if they are in their second

or third trimester) and women who were recently pregnant (within the last 6 weeks)

• Aboriginal peoples

People who should not receive a flu shot include children less than 6 months of age and people who have had an allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine.

The injectable flu shot (but not the nasal spray) has been shown to be safe for many people with egg allergies. Your doctor will need to assess whether you should have a flu shot if you are allergic to eggs. Be sure to tell your health care provider about this and any other allergies you may have before you are given your flu shot.

You can reduce your risk of getting the flu by washing your hands regularly using soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Also, cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your sleeve. Dispose of the tissue right away.

If you have flu symptoms, stay home from work or school and avoid contact with people who are at a high risk of flu complications (e.g., seniors, nursing home residents).

For more information, please contact Lawrence Leung, Pharmacist/Owner of Brant Plaza Pharmasave, 561 Brant St, Burlington. Tel 905-333-4088 email:[email protected]


Lesia Gould, Narrative and Memoir Writing participant

My earliest memories were reinforced by pictures that my parents took of me as an infant. I was born in Burlington, when the population was less than 7000. For the first three years of my life, my parents and I lived on Leighland Road in the former village of Freeman, or what I first knew as Little Ukraine. A large number of inhabitants in this area settled after WW II and were displaced persons, known as DPs.

In 1947, Canada looked upon the DPs as needed labour in a time of economic boom and for the next five years many immigrated to Canada, where their passage and lodging were provided in return for labour in various industries for a specified time. In 1949 my father, along with his friends, worked for what is now Ontario Hydro. He worked at the location where, today, we see hydro towers near the QEW and 403. Three months later, my mother was to come, from war torn Germany, to join my father. However, because of red tape, she was not allowed to emigrate and my father contacted a lawyer and the local MP to find out what the problem was. He was ready to go back to Europe and, instead, resettle with her in France. Finally, my mother was allowed to come as a tourist and arrived in 1950.

My parents built the house in which I was born, an orange brick bungalow, still there. Because I have photographs, I remember the following:

I remember lying on a table that was covered with an embroidered table cloth (6-8 months old).

I remember pulling a cat’s fur sitting on the front lawn (9-12 months old).

I remember sitting on the front steps, picking a leaf off a bush and folding it in half (12-15 months old).

I remember stealing a guest’s purse at a party at my parent’s house in order to get attention (2 ½ years old).

I also remember the following, even though I have no pictures to bear witness to actual events:

I remember swallowing a nickel that a lodger gave me (under 1 year old).

I remember our car being followed home by a large transport truck with no trailer; my father had cut off the vehicle, on the highway.

I remember being sick because I had too much spinach which didn’t agree with me and I fell out of my crib. I crashed into my potty and got a scar under my left eye.

I remember the altar from our church in our basement. It was being fixed by my father who was good at woodworking.

I remember running into the house as the wind got stronger, ahead of Hurricane Hazel. I jumped on my parent’s bed which was covered in a plush and colorful bedspread (2 ½ years old).

I remember being fed kielbasa and rye bread by an elderly neighbour, when my mother unexpectedly had to go to the hospital to give birth to my sister (3 ½ years old).

When my only child, a son, was born, I took many pictures, going through a “roll” a week, so he could remember where his world began. And, now with my granddaughter, recently born, I constantly take photos with my iphone as she changes every time I see her. My hope is that these precious photographs, along with those I carry in my memory, will remind her, my son, and me of how her world began.

Where My World Began

Love to write? The City of Burlington offers a number of writing courses for Adults 55+ such as Narrative and Memoir Writing, Poetry, Short Story Writing, Finding Your Unique Voice and more! Visit www.burlington.ca/play to view the Live & Play Guide and find more information on these programs.


Across: 3. small rodent that collects nuts for winter 6. they fall from trees in autumn10. a month of Remembrance 12. red berries used as a condiment15. one of the zodiac signs for those born in October

Down:1. a decorative squash2. a colour that is a mixture of red and yellow4. “Trick or treat” night5. a vegetable that grows on stalks7. a farmer’s friend; keeps birds away from crops8. a popular main course for Thanksgiving9. a time for gathering the bounty from fields11. horn of plenty13. the fruit from an oak tree 14. another name for Autumn

Autumn Crossword Puzzle

Solution on Page 26


By Calah Brooks, Social Media Instructor

American poet Maya Angelou said it best when she penned, “love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.”

Finding love isn’t dictated by how old you are or how long you have been single. It doesn’t matter how many times you have had your heart broken, or if you’ve never been in love or dated. There is always an opportunity to meet that special someone just around the corner and find love.

Over the past two decades, the internet has become the meeting ground for modern-day romances. According to a survey published by the Pew Research Centre, an estimated 30 to 40 million North Americans now use online dating sites or mobile apps, with over a quarter of all Canadians having tried Internet dating. The recent government census estimates 35 million singles in Ontario between the ages of 55 and 85.

The 55+ crowd is the fastest growing segment in on-line dating, according to eHarmony, Match.com, and Lavalife. There are over 1500 on-line dating sites that are either free or charge a monthly fee to join. eHarmony claims that, on average, over 500 members marry every day.

A relationship ebook by journalist Dan Slater, Love in the Time of Algorithms, argues that something momentous and irreversible has happened to dating. In an interview with Katie Engelhart, in Maclean’s magazine, Slater says a shift akin in significance to the sexual revolution has happened. “We will reach a point when people don’t distinguish between meeting online and off-line,” he says. “We won’t

refer to online dating; it will just be dating.”

“It’s never too late for love,” says Jeanne of Hamilton. At 65, Jeanne has been seeking a new partner on-line for several years. “You are in total control dating on-line,” she says. She admits to the experience helping her build self--confidence when she had been out of the dating game for a while. And, although she hasn’t made a love connection, she is pleased to have made many a new friend. “Not only do you meet new people and their friends, you also open up opportunities to see and try new things.”

Singles’ cruises and dances continue to be popular for the 55+ set looking for entertainment and a date. However, Joan, 75, a member of the Burlington Seniors’ Centre, says the cost and hassles of travelling alone are deterring her from venturing on the high seas for love. “I enjoy dancing and on the last cruise I couldn’t find anyone that could waltz.” Joan does admit to having made many friends via her travels and specialty cruise selections, as well as via Facebook. “I’ve met a number of genuine people on social media groups just like my grandchildren are meeting their dates online.”

With any activity there are elements of caution and the Later Dater course at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre discusses a number of safety elements in building your profile and meeting and greeting someone new.

With a bit of courage and time, later dating can add excitement, fun, and happiness to your life. Join us at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre to learn more.

Calah Brooks is our resident Social Media Instructor.

Love and friendship for the Later Dater


T H E G A R D E N SB Y M A R A N AT H A


Aging Happy and HealthyBy Danielle St-Aubin-Chapman B.A.,B.Ed,.M.Ed.

This face, a purse of sorts -Aging happy and healthy is a goal we all wish to accomplish in our life. By incorporating a few simple changes in our lives , we can age well, both physically and mentally. Here are a few tips to help us all incorporate some of these changes.

1. Do something you enjoy every day: Listening to music, brushing your pet, or even eating some chocolate are all activities which can make you happy.

2. Eat with you family or friends whenever possible: We generally eat better when we share a meal with someone.

3. Stay active: All forms of exercise are good: swimming, walking, dancing, gardening, taking up painting, or other forms of activity are very great activities to do.

4. Challenge the myths about aging, including the belief that memory loss is a normal part of aging: Make your brain work harder by learning to do a new activity. Learn to swim, paint, try new recipes, learn a new game which you might not have wanted to learn in the past because it was a bit more challenging.

5. Eliminate all hazards from you home which could cause a fall. Keep hallways unobstructed. Make sure your bathroom is fully accessible ( bath seat is an adequate height, adequate lighting in all room, especially staircases.

Happy aging !

Bonjour. Mon nom est Danielle St-Aubin. Ma compagnie, Aging with Dignity / Viellir avec dignite existe afin d’aider aux gens qui viellissent, d’ apprendre différentes façons dont ils peuvent rendre leur maison beaucoup plus sécuritaire. Depuis quelques temps, j’écris un article pour la revue Centre Piece, qui est une revue pour personnes agées dans la region de Halton. Centre Piece vous offre maintenant un article en français. J’èspere que vous allez tous en jouir, ainsi qu’en bénificier. Bonne journée à tous.

Vieillir heureux et en santé est un but dont nous voulons tous dans notre vie. Afin d’atteindre ce but, il s’agit d’incorporer quelques petits changements dans notre vie quotidienne. Voiçi quelques-uns de ces changements.

1. Accordez-vous un plaisir chaque jour: Ecoutez de la musique, brossez votre animal quotidian, mangez un peu de chocolat, sont tous des moyens de vous faire un plaisir quotidien.

2. Mangez en compagnie d’amis ou de parents: Lorsque cela est possible, mangez avec amis ou famille. En general, on s’alimente mieux quand on partage son repas avec d’autres personnes.

3. Restez actif: Toutes les activités physiques sont bonnes: marcher, nager, danser, jardiner. L’important c’est de vous amuser.

4. Combattez les myths, donc celui selon lequel il est normal de perdre la mémoire en viellissant: Il est toujours bon de faire travailler nos manèges. Faire diverses activitées comme apprendre de nouveaux jeux, sont des façons d’exercer notre mémoire.

5. Eliminez les dangers dans votre demeure afin de prévenir des chutes: Assurez-vous d’avoir un couloir dégagé, une salle de bain adaptée (siege et tapis de bain, barres d’appui ) et un éclairage adéquat dans toutes les pieces, en particulier dans les escaliers.

Bonne journée à tous, et à la prochaine.

Aging with Dignity offers practical and affordable approaches to helping seniors remain independent and safe to continue living at home. Aging with Dignity focuses on safety, comfort and providing long term solutions by a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. (C.A.P.S.)


By John Corvese, Poetry: Uncovering the Poet Within participant

I live an ordinary life.

My everyday routine is the same.

At night, she lies beside me-

snores slightly, legs twitching

back and forth.

I remain there with her, in the dark -

just thinking about

my ordinary life.

We bicycle.

We walk hand in hand in the park.

We go to Tim Horton’s for coffee

and a doughnut.

We play with our grandchildren.

We go shopping.

We have been together longer than

when we were not.

Someday in death, we shall lie

together, side by side -

forever.

It can’t get any better than this.

Perhaps, my life hasn’t been so

ordinary, after all.

An Ordinary Life


By K.M. DeBon

On a crisp November morning, as mountains stand guard over white crosses,I wander row on row, my shoes wet with tears from blades of grassStanding in the cold, at full attention. Each individual blade, like aReady weapon, has watched over these boys, year after year,Sunrise after sunrise. I pause before the grave of our youngest.What must that mother have felt, the day the grim news was relayed.Her boy, a hero; her boy, a brave soldier; her boy, a loyal comrade.Her boy, still her boy, too young to die.

For a few precious moments, I hear nothing but the moaning of wind through Ortona’s trees, the sigh from reflective students, the gasp from the oldest soldiers, visiting fallen friends,Caressing their faces with trembling hands… fingers tracing cold stone.I shake hands with veterans, trickles of tears remembering the loss, decades earlier.My hands cup the withered, the weathered, and the wise… holders of so many stories,Stories not written down, stories lost on the wind, Unless we listen and lock them in our hearts.

I wander away from the white stones, the white mountains, hand heavy on my heart.I feel so small here among giants.Poppies and prayers are all I can offer. I can never taste their pain, never smell their fear.As I leave the cemetery, the bugle call aches in my ears, a haunting good bye reaching the sun.Somewhere above the clouds, a red bird takes flight.

* This poem was written in 2014, for a tribute at the Canadian War Cemetery in Ortona, Italy, on Remembrance Day.

November Morning


What Philosophy of Life?By Wendy Kormos

Sitting on the desk in “Wendy’s Room” is a blank sheet of lined paper. It has been there for two weeks, maybe more. There is a title scribbled at the top of the page in pen.

So, I am Wendy, and I will read the title aloud to you, “Philosophy of Life”. If I say it one way, ending on a down tone, it sounds too heavy, too etched in stone and closed out, like a grave. If I say it so that the voice sounds higher at the end, it opens up; becoming something I am trying to decide upon. What if I say it in a flat unemotional tone, like it is boring, a waste of time, and not important to me. But, it is very important to me!

Let me explain my reaction to this writing assignment. To explain, I need to go back to the month of my birth, which is in October. As a result of being a Libra I am a certain kind of person. I know this everyday I read my horoscope and find out that I will do or think in a certain way that day! My life is predetermined by the Libran rhythms in this galaxy. I am stuck therefore with being balanced, weighing everything on the scales and seeing every side of every issue and situation and person I meet. I see the yin and the yang. My life philosophy has its first ingredient, a Libra birthright.

The next ingredient is my temperament. I have submitted myself to the Myers-Briggs Temperament tests several times. I constantly score high on the intuitions-feeling--perceptive scales, thus I match the emotional intuitive personalityy called the NF. I do very poorly on crosswords, Sudoku and at Bridge, just to prove to hypothesis! I do not relate well to rules or regulations.

So, now I know two things, I am a Libra and an Intuitive Feeler. Now I can understand why I felt more comfortable saying “Philosophy of Life” as a question, not as a statement! In this recipe I have one part NF. I need to add one more. In our “Right to Write” book there is talk of the right and left brain. Judging by my taste in new experiences, fiction books, love of all kinds of art and music, and my inability to play and do games of logic and memory – I know I am severely right brained.

So now I have three ingredients, the beginning of the recipe for my Philosophy of Life… or do I? How could I possibly have a set of rules for life with these unorthodox

components? My answer is yes I can! I do not wholly understand where my ideals came from, but probably from my experiences and choices and from pure luck, coincidence and fate. I was born in a safe and peaceful country called Canada, raised in the peaceful half of the 20th century, with comfortable, we;;-educated parents. I did not experience any diseases or disasters. I am what Maslow would call self-actualized, at the very top of the pyramid of human needs. I have any opportunity I wish to take! How many in this world have the necessary ingredients? So I have decided that my philosophy of Life is this: I am grateful for what I was given.

Well that empty lined page on the desk in “Wendy’s Room” is full now. This is writing experience has been very happy.

Thank you to Joe Veitch and Bill Hogg for the thoughtful reflection offered on Nov. 11, 2016 at the Centre.


Free Shingles Vaccine Now Available for Seniors from 65-70 years oldOntario is expanding the province’s publicly funded immunization program to help more seniors stay healthy.

Vaccine effectiveness and safetyThe vaccine reduces your chance of getting the virus by more than 50%, depending on your age. Vaccine effectiveness is higher among seniors between 65 and 70 years old.

No vaccine is 100% effective. If you get vaccinated, you may still develop shingles. But the infection would likely be less severe and you’d be better protected from complications.

The vaccine has been licenced by Health Canada, having met all requirements under the Food and Drugs Act.

How you qualifyTo get the free shingles vaccine, you must be 65 to 70 years old. If you turn 71 in 2016 – born in 1945 – you can still get the free shingles vaccine, but you have to get it no later than December 31.

Where you get itGet free shingles vaccine from your family doctor or other primary care provider (e.g. nurse practitioner).

If you don’t qualifyIf you don’t qualify for the free shingles vaccine, you can still get vaccinated with a prescription from your family doctor or other primary care provider. But you have to pay for it yourself.

You would then buy the vaccine at your pharmacy and take it back to your doctor to get the shot.

Vaccines and immunizationFind out about other free vaccines and immunization you can get in Ontario – for babies and toddlers, children at school, for adults and seniors at www.ontario.ca/page/get--free-shingles-vaccine.


Heads Up!By Dick Cappon

Tossing our food is both a waste of money and a waste of water, so says U.S. National Public Radio. “According to world Resource Institute, an environmental think tank, inside the 1.3 billion tons of food wasted every year worldwide is 45 trillion gallons of water. This represents a staggering 24 percent of all water used for agriculture.”

Much, if not most, of our food waste ends up in landfills where it releases methane, a potent green house gas. It was estimated that even where landfill operators install methane collection equipment, 80 percent of the methane is released to the atmosphere before such equipment can be installed.

Some people pondering the above may well conclude that, in the hurlyburly of today’s society, some will not take a moment for reflection but, instead, will leave this challenge for generations down the road to face, whatever the consequences. Forewarned is forearmed!


By Kimberly Sopko Public Education Officer, Burlington Fire Dept.

If I told you that you could double your chances of surviving a home fire by doing just one thing, would you do it?

Sounds simple, right?

Having a working smoke alarm is the single best way to protect yourself and your personal property from the dangers of fire at home. Working smoke alarms provide an early warning so you have more time to escape and will in fact, increase your chances of survival by 50 per cent in the event of a fire.

Chances are you already have smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms at home. After all, it is the law. But, do they work? Can you recall the last time you tested them or changed the battery? And dare I ask: when do they expire?

Just like other appliances and electronics in our homes, smoke and CO alarms expire. A recent survey from the National Fire Protection Association shows that while most people have smoke alarms at home, only a small percentage actually know how old their alarms are and how often they need to be replaced. That’s why this year’s Fire Prevention Week focus is Don’t Wait: Check the Date.

Replace Smoke and CO Alarms Every 10 Years.

We understand that the to-do list keeps growing and somehow there are fewer hours in every day to tackle the regular maintenance and upkeep of our homes. Yet, with three out of five home fire deaths happening in homes with no smoke alarms or no working alarms—what more reason do we need to make sure our alarms actually work? It’s simply dangerous not to.

To find out how old your smoke alarm is and its expiration date, simply look on the back of the alarm where the date of manufacture is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date (not the date of purchase). Test alarms monthly. Batteries should be replaced once a year or when alarms begin to chirp, signaling that they’re running low.

The Burlington Fire Department offers an Alarm Assistance Program for Burlington homeowners over the age of 65 and for residents with a disability or limited mobility who need help to install and maintain home smoke and CO alarms.

To find out if you’re eligible for the program, contact the fire department directly by calling:

905-637-8207, ext. 6236 or email: [email protected].

Alarm Assistance Program


Penny Heneke

Suddenly, without warning, I woke up one day and found myself, reluctantly so, an old woman. One of the first signs can only be described as “senior moments” or, in modern terms, computer glitches. Recently I heard an explanation for these memory lapses that makes sense. The suggestion was that the accumulation of memories over many years occasionally causes our old brains to go into “overload” mode. This is not dissimilar to our computers slowing down when they are encumbered with too much data and respond sluggishly to our requests.

These memory gaffes come in a variety of forms. It could be as simple as not being able to recall a certain word. Trying to sound like a modern mom who is up-to--date with technology, I was telling my son that we were thinking of switching to a cellphone and getting rid of our

landline. However, “landline” eluded me and instead I said, “landmine.”

“Remind me not to come to your apartment, Mom,” he responded.

It seems I sometimes can’t grasp the word I’m looking for, or otherwise I retrieve only half the word. An example was when I was trying to think of the word “echinacea” as a cold preventative, but what came out was “euthanasia.” I seem hell bent on obliterating myself.

Occasionally. only the first letter of the word presents itself as in the case when I was asking my son-in-law how he was enjoying his stay in…?“It begins with the letter ‘s,’ ” I added.

“You mean Savannah, ” he replied. This is becoming a game with my husband, Ken and me. I am relieved to find that we are not alone, as some of our friends have also succumbed. It would make a good seniors’ party game.

Aging: Telltale signs the hard drive is slowing down


While my computer is set on auto Spell check, unfortunately my brain doesn’t come with this default setting. Mind you, this is not foolproof either as you might find your computer has “corrected” your text to a whole new meaning. Recently, I sent an e-mail to my brother-in-law and suggested he pass it along to his friend, Chris. With the help of the autocorrect feature, my e-mail read: “Maybe you could send along my ‘Volunteer Experience’ to Christ to read.”

My experience with greeting cards lately has me wondering if I could reboot my faculties to stay on track. Ken and I popped into a store to pick up Valentine cards for our grandchildren. I thought it would be fun to add a few stickers. When I couldn’t find any, I asked Ken to inquire about Halloween stickers. The sales clerk looked puzzled and commented: “Halloween was in October. We no longer have anything left in February.”

My son asked me why I had sent him a blank card for his birthday along with a scrap of paper inside. I usually have a practice run on an odd scrap of paper to find the right words for my card. To try to sidetrack my faux pas, I told him another friend received four birthday cards from the same person.

While compatible pieces of equipment can work together with computers, incompatible ones cannot. In much the same way, you can’t always depend on a partner to spare you from some forgetful moments. While I was chatting witone a couple at the seniors’ centre, I noticed the wife hadn’t removed one bright pink curler from her hair. It sat right in the middle of her forehead. She couldn’t blame her husband for not telling her, as he was having problems with his eyes.

Misguided instructions for operating a computer are as frustrating as giving wrong directions to seniors. Resulting predicaments are not always of your own making. Seniors have to use savvy to save the day. One example occurred when the daughter of a friend sent her senior parents to the wrong church for their grandchildren’s concert. Once the couple realized the mistake, it was too late. They could hardly walk out in the middle of a funeral service. Instead, they went with the flow and pretended to know the deceased.

When your computer program or operating system stops working it is said to have “crashed.”While it’s simple to take a computer to a technology store to be restored to working order, seniors have to find their own strategies to survive. The minute a thought flitters through my mind that I want to recall, it’s imperative that I write it down immediately. I

have notes everywhere.

I find when a friend’s conversation reminds me of a similar story I want to relate, rather than be rude and interrupt, I have to concentrate on a memory association to hang on to the thought. However, too often, I’m so busy concentrating on it that I often miss my friend’s story. This is still a work in progress.

To avoid more fruitless trips from one room to another, I now repeat what I’m after …sweater…. sweater…. sweater, so that by the time I get there I do not become flummoxed and, instead, remember what it was I was going to retrieve.

I never realized being a senior would be such a challenging and entertaining stage of life. Now if I could only programme my husband to drop his laundry in the laundry basket rather than dumping it in the recycle bin.

This article, written by freelance writer, Penny Heneke, was originally published in The Hamilton Spectator, on Friday, March 18, 2016.


Autumn Crossword Puzzle Solution

Doors will open to be seated at 8:30 a.m. Coffee, tea and fresh fruit will be available at 8:45 a.m. Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m., followed by entertainment at 10 a.m. Due to limited space we ask that each person preregisters for Breakfast at the Bistro. Tables will not be reserved.

TTR Date Entertainment Description Fee

345514 Jan 14 Golden Horseshoe Women’s Chorus

A great Burlington based band who specializes in swing music of the Big Band Era.

$6.38 R

345515 Feb 18 Burlington FootnotesAn enthusiastic troupe of senior dance performers who specialize in various styles including tap, jazz, clogging, hip hop and musical theatre.

$6.38 R

345516 Mar 11 Touch Of Klez Toe tapping and inspiring music that is truly unique.$6.38 R

The Bistro Café


Advertise in The Centre PieceBurlington Seniors’ Centre Magazine

The Centre Piece is published four times a year with distribution in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. It is read by more than 3,500 Seniors’ Centre members, their families and others in the community. A variety of sizes ranging from business card size to full page advertising are available.

For more information, or to place an advertisement in The Centre Piece please contact us at [email protected]


Burlington Seniors’ Centre Events and Important Dates

Events Winter 2017Nov 21-Dec 16 Burlington Seniors’ Centre Extension classes

Dec 10 Annual Christmas Dinner

Dec 12 Foot Care Clinic

Dec 12 Hearing Screenings

Dec 17 Breakfast at the Bistro – Rich Harmony Choir, Gospel Choir and Ukulele group

Dec 19 –Jan 2 Burlington Seniors’ Centre closed for the Holiday

Jan 9 First Day of Winter programs

Jan 14 Breakfast at the Bistro – Golden Horseshoe Women’s Chorus

Jan 16 Foot Care Clinic

Feb 20 Family Day – no programs

Jan 21 Robbie Burns Night

Feb 11 Breakfast at the Bistro – Burlington Footnotes

Feb 13 Hearing Screenings

Mar 6 Foot Care Clinic

Mar 11 Breakfast at the Bistro – Touch of Klez

Mar 16 Rhythm of the Dance Day Trip

905-825-5335416-237-9654

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