2212 13th street nw, calgary, ab yycseniors.com …...yycseniors.com september 2020 3 a word pat...

September 2020 1

GAZETTEInspiring Adults to Stay Active and Stay Involved

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SEPTEMBER 20202212 13TH STREET NW, CALGARY, AB YYCSENIORS.COM

2 2 1 2 1 3 t h S T R E E T N W C A LG A R Y A B T 2 M 4 P 7 | 4 0 3 . 2 8 9 . 4 7 8 0 | W W W. Y YC S E N I O R S . C O M

I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin, and crisp sunburnt leaves. - Ann Drake

2 2212 13 St NW, Calgary, AB T2M 4P7 403-289-4780 September 2020

what’s inside

DIGITAL EDITIONSEPTEMBER 2020available online atwww.yycseniors.com

Join us to Stay Active and Stay Involved!

Check out our website at yycseniors.com for a list of

activities.

A Word From Your President

From the Desk of the Executive Director

Meet our Team

Centre Services

Book Review

Volunteers

Tea & Conversation

3

4

7

8

9

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12

yycseniors.com September 2020 3

a word

Pat Pitselfrom your President

Years ago, when I was teaching, a colleague told me about a young boy in her grade 4 class. It was Lent, and in the Separate school system, kids were encouraged to “give something up” and make sacrifices for Lent. One little guy, when he was advised to make a sacrifice and give up something he wanted, burst out with “Sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice. I’m sick of sacri-fice.”

We can probably all relate. The Pandemic has demanded sacrifices from all of us at Confed-eration Park – everything from having classes cancelled, to losing some services, missing friends and activities. Jeannette and her staff have done an outstanding job in bringing as much back as is possible under AHS guidelines. We do everything possible to ensure that the Centre is as safe as it can be: Number of peo-ple attending an event are limited, and seated so that the two meter distance is maintained; Members are required to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and fill out a form when they come in.

Covid-19 has surely affected people’s physical health, especially those who are seniors, but the resulting isolation has also affected people’s mental health. Many members have told us that they have become extraordinarily aware of how much they miss the exercise activities, the social activities, and the ability to sit and chat with the friends they have made here. The Fall will see the resumption of many activities and classes provided they can be conducted in a safe manner. There will, unfortunately, be fewer people allowed into the classes due to the size of our classrooms.

Thank you to all who completed the survey sent out earlier this summer. The responses were interesting, and you can expect to see a summary of the results in the next month or so. One recurring comment was the number of people who didn’t know that we offer some programs on-line. We will be evaluating these and look at making them more available next semester.

Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, Sep-tember 16, for our AGM (which had to be post-poned from this Spring). Physical attendance is limited, but you will no doubt be delighted to learn that we have arranged for all members who wish to attend online to do so. Details will be coming out shortly.

In the meantime, stay safe and be kind to one another.

Pat Pitsel


from the desk

of the Executive Director

Summer is almost done and fall is coming fast! What a year it has been! COVD has changed the way we do everything here at the centre.

The staff have had to think outside the box for everything and have done an exceptional job. It has been exhausting, but we have so enjoyed putting all the new events, classes and activi-ties together for our members.

As we are going through registrations for the Fall Session, I just want to note that we have had a few members who have been expressed their concerns regarding the changes in their classes in a cantankerous manner. Please be kind, this process has been challenging and we are required to follow AHS guidelines to keep both our staff and our members safe.

We understand that you may not be used to rising a little earlier, or your class has been shortened or cut altogether. Our end goal was to ensure we could have as many of our classes back for all to enjoy again. We are limiting the numbers in every class, therefore in some cases we have had to divide a class into two classrooms or conduct the class with smaller numbers.

If you have items stored in cupboards here at the centre, please collect them when you arrive for your class and take them home. It is important to minimize traffic in the classrooms since every time people enter the classroom, the classroom has to be cleaned. Therefore, access to class-rooms are limited because of these factors.

Lastly, no food can be brought into the centre from outside the centre. Cookies and other baked goods will be available to purchase at the kitchen. For larger groups you are invited to pre-order a day or so ahead in advance.

Lunches, please pre-order as soon as you come in or even the day before if that is possible. If you would like a cake for a birthday celebration give us a couple of days so we can prepare a cake for you. Your support for centre is very much ap-preciated during these times.

A number of new classes have been added to the schedule for you to try, so have a look and see if there is something that inspires you.

A celebration is coming very soon of our Patio by hosting a Pub Afternoon. The upgrades have been paid for by our Men’s Shed Grant and we are excited to have you join us. Keep an eye out for an eblast inviting you to come and see what has been done.

of the Executive Director


from the desk

of the Executive Directorcontinued

Please come and see our new “Boutique on the Park”. It is truly beautiful.

Thank you are extended to Joan Packman, Deb-bie Nay, Agnes Jessamine, Shauna Sheppard, Laura and Matt Lucey for all of their hard work, with special kudos to Joan who orchestrated the whole thing! Many, many thanks to the members who do-nated their class fees back to the centre, food and donations of money for COVID as well as the Pantry!! This has made a big difference to us!

Jeannette Provo

Special thanks to:

End of the RollBill the BuilderArlen PetersonTAV for the projector

Did you know?

Canada consumes more mac and cheese than any other country in the world?

You can see more snakes in Winnipeg than anywhere else? Just 130 km north of Winni-peg is the Narcisse Snake Dens.

There is a secret underground laboratory in Sudbury, Ontario. Designed for the study of neutrino and dark matter physics.

Labrador and Newfoundland harvest ice-bergs. Entrepreneurs are harvesting chunks of these cool marvels for some pretty unique products: wine, vodka, beer and even skin-care products.

St. Paul, Alberta built a UFO landing pad. Built to welcome the first interplanetary flight visitor.Courtesy: www.readers.digest

7 tips to improve your memory Courtesy mayoclinic.org

1. Include physical activity in your daily routine - 150 minutes a week

2. Stay mentally active - do cross word puzzles

3. Socialize regularly - keep aware of physical distancing and wear your mask

4. Get organized - declutter, organize your notes, maintain current to do lists

5. Sleep well - make 7 to 9 hours of sleep a priority

6. Eat a healthy diet - too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss. A healthy diet is good for your brain.

7. Manage chronic conditions - follow your doc-tor’s treatment medications.

The better your take care of yourself, the better your memory will be. Review your medications with your doctor regularly. Keeping in mind that various medications can affect memory.


Celebration of AchievementsDespite COVID this has been an outstanding year for the staff and Board. o Executive Director and Staff have been nominated for Minister’s Senior Services Award by George and Ellen Yeung o $10,000.00 Grant was received by United Way for the Pantry.o $22,000.00 New Horizons Grant was approved for a new phone system, sound system, carpets for the office and a new projector.o All offices were recarpeted.o All offices and the boutique were repainted.o $19,500.00 Grant was received from the United Way for our Luncheons. We served approximately 950 people over the course of June, July and August.o $11,000.00 Grant was received from FCSS for filming of classes and can be viewed on our website.o $1,000.00 donation was received from Scotiabank for our Pantry.o $19,699.00 Grant was received from FCSS o to implement our Occupational Health and Safety o to hire a chef in our kitchen for Sept-Deco The stage has been completely revamped.o We have purchased the following from our Give 65 monies: o Corelle Plates, creamers, thermal coffee and tea urns, silverware, water jugs, glasses and a grill (we will be donating all of the plates to another organization)o We just received another $8,200.00 from Give 65 in July. (We have not yet specified a project for these monies)o Boutique has been completely revamped by our volunteers.o Studio, social room and classrooms have been measured for safe distancing.

Programs implemented as a result of COVID o Coffee and Chat on Zoom o Buddy system for members to reach out to other members each week o Food hampers were prepared to be picked up by family or delivered as needed o Regular Eblasts were sent out to keep members updated on what we were doing here at the centre o Shopping for groceries and delivering as needed o Collaborated with Greater Forest Lawn 55+ to purchase food for the Pantry o Set up a safe standard in order to do our tax clinic o Set up cleaning processes to keep members and staff safe o A fence has been built in our patio area from the Men’s Shed Grant.At this time I would like to thank the staff, board and our volunteers who have worked with us tirelessly during COVID to make our centre even more enjoyable!


meet our team

CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PATRICIA PITSELPresident

LINDA EARLVice President

DOREEN HERDMANSecretary

MARLENE MONILAWSFinance

DIRECTORS

BEV CUMMINGLINDA EARL

MUYIDEEN ELEGBEDEBILL TAYLOR

STAFF

JEANNETTE PROVO Executive Director JUDY DUFORT Executive Assistant ANGELA MCINTYRE Marketing/Fund Devel- opmentCoordinator RICHARD MA Volunteer Coordinator DEBBIE NAY T&C/Volunteer Coordinator AMAN GILL Bookkeeper MATT LUCY Janitorial HARNAK SINGH Cleaner

Carya Adult Services Coordinators

SUJA THOMAS and have relocated to the Bowness Office

403.269.9888

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Full / Associate Membership

$30.00 / year

Membership Year

September 2020 - December 2021

HOURS OF PHONE OPERATION TILL FURTHER

NOTICE

OFFICEMonday to Friday

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

BOUTIQUE & NEXT-TO-NEW SHOP11:00am to 3:00 pm subject to change

KITCHENOPENING SOON


centre services

COMMISSIONER OF OATHSJeannette Provo, Executive Director for Confederation Park 55+ Activity CentrePlease call 403.289.4780 Ext. 223 Services by appointment only.

RENT ANY OF THE CLASSROOMS, STUDIO OR THE SOCIAL ROOMMake an appointment with our Executive Director Jeannette Provo.Jeannette will be happy to help you with your arrangements and answer all your questions. Please call 403.289.4780 Ext. 223

CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Tuesday of every month from

9:30 am - 11:30 am on a drop in basis.

M C P H A I L H A R D I N G

LAWYERMEMBERS ONLYBy AppointmentCANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICECheck Mcphail Harding website for interesting blog posts at:www.mcphailharding.com

P O D I AT R I S TMEMBERS ONLY$10.00 per visitpayable to Dr. Somerbring your Alberta Health CardDr. Somer is backSeptember 18, 2020

CANCELLEDHARP HEARING CAREAudiologistMost Thursdays duringT&C at 12:30pmNo appointment necessary

Good Food Box $25/20lbs $30/30 lbs $35/40lbsOrder Deadline: September 15, 2020Pickup: September 24, 2020


summer lunches

Thank you to Our Gold Sponsor!


What Is the Confederation Park 55 + Activity Centre?

The Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre is the second largest older adult centre in the city of Calgary. More than 740 older adults stay active through participating in 44 classes per week in activities like music, dancing, art and card play-ing.

We’re serious about promoting a fun and lively atmosphere because we take health and well-being seriously. We respond to the needs of older adults by connecting them with opportunities for social interaction, education, and volunteer-ism.

Everything we do is designed to promote mental and physical well-being – and to have fun while doing it.

Join us Today!go to yycseniors.com to see a list of clubs

and activities.

The Centre is supported in part by FCSS. We are grateful for the continued support.

who we are

12 Habits of Super-Healthy PeopleCourtesy: www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org

1. Have Breakfast

2. Plan your meals

3. Drink plenty of water

4. Take and exercise break

5. Go offline

6. Learn something new

7. Don’t smoke

8. Sleep well

9. Train your muscles - do strength training

10. Head outdoors

11. Keep your balance - yoga and tai chi

12. Be mindful

Super Healthy


tea & conversationtea & conversation

Phone Number: 403 910-5860 Phone Number: 587 392-4268 Phone Number: 403 286-4414

Phone Number: 1 877 929-9222

Phone Number: 403 776-0460

Please support our sponsors.

Greetings to all! We hope to see you all back in your seats soon

T&C is so happy to inform you we will be back on a MUCH smaller scale starting September 17th. As most of

you are already aware, we can only seat 38 guests in the Turnbull Hall (formerly the Social Room). You MUST

sign up to attend the Luncheon. Preference will be given to our regular T & C guests. Once we reach our max-

imum capacity, we will gladly add your name to our waitling list and advise you on the next available date.

Please contact Debbie by email or phone to register for the Luncheons.

EMAIL: [email protected]

PHONE: 403 289-4780 ext 206


tea & conversation

We will be selling 50/50 tickets at the luncheons.

Every Thursday starting September 17th from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. The cost is $10.00. The money is not

refundable or transferable and due at the time of registering. Anyone who is unable to pay the $10.00 please

speak with Debbie or Jeannette to make alternate arrangements. Guests are to arrive at 11:30 to be screened.

Lunch will be served at approximately 12:15 pm. Please make sure you advise of any special Dietary Allergies

at the time of registering and we will do our best to accommodate our guests. Music will begin at 1 pm and

end at 2 pm.

BEST PRACTICES TO KEEP US ALL SAFE...... you must go through the COVID screening at the entrance door. This includes answering the questions,

temperature check, sanitizing your hands and signing a COVID waiver.

....you must wear your face covering until you are seated at your table. Once you are seated at your table you

can remove your face covering.

....Please maintain the recommended social distancing

...Please sanitize your hands when entering and exiting the washroom

...STAY HOME IF YOU ARE COUGHING, FEELING ILL OR UNABLE TO FOLLOW OUR BEST PRACTICE POLICY

...Please enjoy your time and feel free to get up and dance at your table maintaining your social distancing and

wearing your face covering.

MAXIMUM CAPACITY 38 PEOPLETHANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND COOPERATION

We are so fortunate to have great people supporting our program, and for that, we thank you for all.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS.


tea & conversation

Old Time Gliders - Thank you for your continued support, generosity and donations to our T & C Prgram.

Thank you to all of our volunteers. We are so lucky to have each and every one of you. Thanks a million!

Studies have shown that participating in an event like T & C has positive benefits for your emotional, mental and physical well-being. Stay active and stay involved.

Thank you all for your dona-tions to the Tea & Conversation program.

Your support is greatly ap-preciated and needed.

With love from Deb and Richard


tea & conversation memories


thank you

We have so many people that have been helping us through this unusual time:

All our members who donated their refunds to us.

All our volunteers helping with the screening process.

Joan Packham for her fantastic Boutique Renovations, her daughter Laura for Design help and Agnes Jessamine.

Our volunteer callers, checking in on our membership.All our donors, your generosity keep us going.

Our Instructors for filming online classes.United Way, Home Instead,

City of Calgary & FCSSScotiabank


Boutique update

Thank you all for your amazing support of the boutique.Your feedback on the new and improved boutique has been very much appreciated and kind.

We are not 100% done with rebranding of the boutique so stop by often to see additional changes brought to us by Joan and her sidekick Agnes and the workshop gang.

The Boutique is run by our amazing Volunteers so please be kind. If you have any questions, concerns or complaints please contact Debbie by phone or email. EMAIL: [email protected]: 403-289-4780 ext 206

REMEMBER BY SUPPORTING THE BOUTIQUE YOU ARE SUPPORTING YOUR CENTRE

boutique


The Boutique is open 5 days a week from 11-3 (subject to change)

Our Best Practices will be enforced. BEST PRACTICES TO KEEP US ALL SAFE

Please sanitize your hands with hand sanitizer before entering the boutiquePlease wear your face coveringPlease maintain recommended social distancingPlease sanitize your hands when exiting the boutiqueSTAY HOME IF YOU ARE COUGHING, FEELING ILL OR UNABLE TO FOLLOW OUR BEST PRACTICE POLICYNO “ON APPROVAL” CLOTHING WILL BE ALLOWEDNO RETURNS OR EXCHANGESDRESSING ROOM WILL BE CLOSED DURING COVID MAXIUM CAPACITY 5 PEOPLE INCLUDING VOLUNTEER IN BOUTIQUE AT ONE TIMETHANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND COOPERATIONPLEASE HELP KEEP US ALL SAFE

We will be accepting donations on Fridays only by appointment.Please note we will only be accepting CLEAN AND GENTLY USED clothing, purses, scarfs, shoes and jewelry at this time.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR’S UPDATE

As COVID has presented us with many challenges, we are working hard to get our volunteers back to work.

We miss you all and are looking forward to getting you back as soon as it is safe to do so.

There will be many changes brought to the Centre and we are aware that some of youwill not agree with the changes, however, these changes are necessary and not negotiable.

Changes are necessary to keep us all safe.

The kitchen volunteers will be required to complete Food Safety course that will be taught at the Centre by Richard and Debbie (your volunteer coordinators) we will be contacting our kitchen volunteers with the times and dates.

Please be kind as once again we are working hard to keep us all safe.


word search

World Currencies

Find and circle all of the world currencies that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell a secret message - a John Paul Getty quotation.

AFGHANI ARIAYRY BAHT BALBOA BIRR BOLIVAR BOLIVIANO COLON DALASI DENAR DINAR DIRHAM DOLLAR DRAM ESCUDO

EURO FORINT FRANC GOLD CORDOBA GOURDE GUARANI GUILDER HRYVNIA KINA KORUNA KRONA KRONE KROON KUNA KWACHA

KWANZA KYAT LEMPIRA LEONE LILANGENI LIRA LITAS LOTI MANAT METICAL NAIRA NAKFA NEW CEDI NEW DONG NEW KIP

NEW SHEKEL NGULTRUM OUGUIYA PATACA PESO POUND PULA QUETZAL RAND REAL RIAL RINGGIT RIYAL RUBLE RUFIYAA

RUPEE RUPIAH SHILLING SOM SUCRE SYLI TAKA TALA TENGE TOLAR VATU WON YEN YUAN RENMINBI ZLOTY


the writers club

The Confederation Park 55 + Activity Centrewriters club has remained active throughout the isolation with weekly zoom meetings. If you would like to join a weekly Wednesday morning meeting at 10 am please contact [email protected]. We are also asking for submissions of writing to include in our next Booklet, ‘The Pandemic Papers.’ If you have any writing you would like to submit, please email it to [email protected].

Canada only got its own flag 100 years after it became a country.

What happened on February 15, 1965?

Whether you write as a hobby or have loftier goals you don’t have to do it alone.

We know being a writer is tough. The Writers Club makes in easier. Joining a writers group is an oppor-tunity to meet other writers, hone your craft and have fun.

Why should you join our writers club?

It helps you get out of your own head.

Feedback is faster in the flesh.

You will get honest criticism.

Others believe in your work, even when you don’t.

Call Judy or Angela at 403 289-4780 for more information or if you want to join.

Join the Confederation Writers Group as they share an afternoon of reading. Our writers will read some of their selected pieces. Details to follow.

Did you know that reading your written material out loud will dramatically improve your writing?


SUDOKU

“The main thing is topay attention, pay clear attention to everything you see. Notice what no one else notices, and you will know what n one else knows.” Lois Harrow, City of Ember

What is the one thing you learned that BLEW YOUR MIND?

A very special person is in hospital (again) our Carol Scott. Carol’s family is organizing a ‘CARDS FOR CAROL” because she cannot have visitors due to COVID-19. If you would like to send Carol a card please contact Linda Earle at 403 289-6266 and Linda will provide you with the mailing address. Thank you for participating and making Carol feel better.


Surveys do make a difference!!

Thank you so much to the 232 members who completed our Pandemic survey. Your input has been reviewed, analyzed and summarized into a report that will be of high value as we go forward in this pandemic and beyond. 25% of our members responded which surpasses most survey response rates by a very high degree. We truly appreciate that you have taken the time to share your opinions and feelings as we navigate an historical period of our lives.

We respect your anonymity and have taken every measure to protect your identity as some illustrative comments have been included in the report. With her permission, we are pleased to announce that Mickey Campbell has won the $250 prize for participation.

So, you ask, what will come of this survey? First and foremost, the results will be incorporated into the Confederation Park +55 Activity Centre action plan. Steps have already been taken to respond to some of the needs identified in the survey in areas such as programming. Furthermore, the results of the survey will also be used to advocate for seniors’ needs at all levels of government. Watch for further information regarding the survey and the impact your participation has made. Well done, seniors!

Survey


7296384 is to 3987462

as 6174258 is to 2756841

and 2917834 is to ?

It’s easy as ABC ....

Courtesy: Confounding Logic

more puzzles

“If you observe a really happy man, you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, edu-cating his child, growing double dahlias or looking for dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert. He will not be searching for happiness as it if were a collar button that had rolled under the radiator, striving for it as as goal in itself. He will have become aware that he is happy in the course of living life 24 crowded hours of each day”

W. Beran Wolfe

Courtesy: Confounding LogicABCDEFG ECFAGDB7296384 39874626174258 27568412917834 8132479

Looking for FREE courses?

Check out edX courses at www.edx.org

Choose from 2942 FREE courses

Explore the pyramids of Giza

Discover the masterpieces of world literature

The Opioid Crisis

The Path to Happiness

courtesy: www.edx.org


Sudoku solution (courtesy www.puzzles.ca)

Courtesy of Best Life (bestlifeonline.com)

Here is a game that will keep your brain sharp:

Question:Five sisters are busy.Ann is reading.Rose is cooking.Katie is playing chess.Mary is doing laundry.

What is the fifth sister doing?

Hint: you can’t play chess by yourself.

Question:How can you throw a ball as hard as you can and have it come back to you, even if it doesn’t bounce off anything?

Hint: You can always through the ball straight. Straight up.

Keep learning!! Did you know that advanced education may help keep memory strong. How you may ask. By getting a person into the habit of being mentally active.

Read - join a book club, play chess, bridge, chess, write your life story - join a writers’ group, take a class, pursue music or art.

Buidling and preserving brain connenctions is an ongoing process, so make lifelong learning a priority.

courtesy: www.health.harvard..ed

2212 13th street nw, calgary, ab yycseniors.com …...yycseniors.com september 2020 3 a word pat...

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