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THE GRAPEVINE June 2019

This Newsletter can be accessed online at https://alberta55plus.ca/ (click on Newsletters) 1

Alberta 55plus Zone 6 Edmonton

Alberta 55plus Zone 6, Edmonton

for participants advancing to the Alberta 55plus 2019 Summer Games

at Medicine Hat July 4th-7th, 2019 Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 – 7:00-9:00 pm

In the Small Gymnasium at Central Lions Seniors Association (11113-113 Street. Edmonton)

Doors open at 6:30 pm; rally begins at 7:00 pm

Banner Carriers will be chosen Additional Information on Bus, Games

Games shirts for those who have not received them

We wish each of our Zone 6 participants the best at the Games

Alberta 55plus Zone 6 Edmonton

You may notice that we are now referring to ourselves as Alberta 55plus Zone 6 Edmonton instead of the familiar Edmonton Marigold moniker. At the latest Executive and Coordinator meetings the consensus of opinion was that Alberta 55plus Zone 6 Edmonton more succinctly identified us than did Edmonton Marigold, so that will be the terminology most often used in the future. The term Marigold will still be used when dealing with the business end of things (Societies Board, Bank Accounts, legal documents, etc.). This will make it less confusing when you are promoting our organization to potential members, interested friends or strangers.

THE GRAPEVINE

https://alberta55plus.ca/



Inside this issue: Pep Rally for Summer Games in Medicine Hat; Alberta 55plus Zone 6 Edmonton

1

Inside This Issue; Message From the President

2

List of Executive; Articles for the Grapevine; Zone 6 Office

3

Coordinator Contacts 4

Greetings from the Activity Coordinator; Two Lovely Ladies

5

Cold Lake Provincial Games; Hockey

6

Zone 6 Medal Winners from Cold Lake Games; Photos Cold Lake

7-8

2019 Summer Games; Zone 6 Playoffs (Floor Shuffleboard, Bocce, Track & Field, Military Whist, Golf)

9-10

Fun Tournaments & Fun Events (Euchre, Duplicate Bridge)

10-11

Provincial AGM in Red Deer 12

Edmonton Pickleball Club; Cough CPR, How to Survive a Heart Attack When Alone

13

Quiz; Time Editorial 14

Our River Valley Editorial; You’re Never Too Old

14-16

Membership Form 17-18

Nostalgia From Bygone Days; Creative Writing

19

Back Cover 20

June 2019 Edition - Message from the President

WOW! Summer is finally here!

First off, I would like to congratulate the Zone 6 participants who won medals at the Winter Games in Cold Lake! Win or lose, I hope everyone who went had fun and enjoyed themselves.

It has been a very busy Spring. Zone 6 Annual General Meeting was on March 21st, with 60 members present. Treasurer Anne Hulberg, and Membership Director Abdeal Naffar both resigned, and we want to thank them both for their work with Zone 6 and Alberta 55plus. David Mandolesi stepped forward to become our Treasurer, and Rosalyn (Roz) Schilberg volunteered to become our Membership Director. Thank you both for filling these very important positions. Jean-Claude Jetté and Wendy Jerome both signed on as Directors at Large, rounding out our Executive. We look forward to working with all of them. Thank you to the Executive for your support!

Zone playoffs to advance to the Alberta 55 Plus 2019 Summer Games in Medicine Hat were held during April and May. A lack of interest and participation in many events was very disappointing, and some events were actually cancelled. But, there will be 105 participants going to the Games to represent Zone 6, and a bus has been provided for those who don’t wish to drive to Medicine Hat. A Pep Rally for the Summer Games will be held on Tuesday, June 18th from 7:00-9:00 pm in the small auditorium at Central Lions, and more information on the bus and the Games will be available there. Good luck to all our participants!

My thanks to the 27 members who took advantage of the bus to Red Deer to attend the Provincial Alberta 55plus Annual General Meeting on May 7th. Our new President is Dave Finn. The main focus will be on increasing our membership numbers, and keeping all our members involved and having fun.

Have a great summer, and enjoy whatever you’re doing.

Respectfully submitted,

Caroline Anker Zone 6, President




Executive

Caroline Anker 587-469-4460

President ([email protected] )

Pat Covington 780-488-3676

Vice-President ([email protected] )

Marshall Yaremcio 780-434-1754 Past President ([email protected] )

David Mandolesi 780-989-1724

Treasurer

([email protected] )

Eleanore Frend 780-462-7488

Secretary ([email protected] )

Rosalyn Schilberg 780-466-0148

Membership Director ([email protected] )

Louise Libich 780-222-6208

Activities Director ([email protected])

Wendy Jerome 780-489-5556

Director at Large (Publicity)


Gordon Severin 780-430-6827 Director at Large (Casino) ([email protected] )

Pat Chobater 780-469-0727

Director at Large ([email protected] )

Jean-Claude Jette

780-481-7512


Marshall Yaremcio 780-434-1754 Newsletter Composition ([email protected] )

Eleanore Frend 780-462-7488

Newsletter Compilation ([email protected] )

The people listed above are the people responsible for

the direction and leadership of Alberta 55plus Zone 6 Edmonton organization.

Thank you for your trust in awarding these duties to us.

Request for Articles for Grapevine Newsletter

If you are a regular Grapevine reader, by now you know that we welcome articles and/or photos from Coordinators, Assistant Coordinators, and Members; articles can be on specific events, your experiences at the Games, your views on being an Alberta 55plus member, or personal interest stories. Send them to me by e-mail (Marshall Yaremcio at [email protected] ) or mail them to 10803-57th Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6H 0Y8. Or you can always drop them off at the Marigold Office at Central Lions. Articles in this newsletter have been written by me (edited and modified by our office elf) unless otherwise specified. Unfortunately, that also means that any complaints are also in my purview. We consider all your views and comments to be valuable, complimentary or not. We are depending on our members to keep us updated on any change to your contact information – most importantly – your e-mail address.

Marshall Yaremcio, Editor

Zone 6 Office

Zone 6 has a permanent office at Central Lions Recreation Centre. Our address is 11113-113 Street, Edmonton, AB T5G 2V1, and our phone number is 780-454-6560. If you have any inquiries, please contact us at the number listed, and speak with one of our friendly volunteers, or leave a message on the answering machine. THANK YOU to those members who put in time at our Zone 6 office to answer the telephone and questions, and to greet visitors. If you would like to volunteer at our Zone 6 office, please phone Pat Chobater at 780-469-

0727 or e-mail her at [email protected] . If it is your first time, another experienced volunteer will be happy to work with you, and show you what to expect. Below is our orderly, functional office.

Zone 6 Office Hours

The office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 pm. Starting in September office hours will change to just two days a week – Tuesday and Thursdays. With playoffs being finished we feel two days a week should suffice, although once things get busy again, this may very well change.

A very special thank you to each and every one of our office duty volunteers – for sharing your time, energy, expertise, and talents. What each of us does individually may not seem to be a huge thing, but what we do all together is truly wonderful, and makes Alberta 55plus and Zone 6 Edmonton great!


mailto:[email protected]






Coordinator Contacts 2019 Activity Director LOUISE LIBICH – [email protected] 780-222-6208

Activity Name of Coordinator Phone Number

Arts & Crafts Caroline Anker ([email protected] ) 587-469-4460

Badminton Bill Burton ( [email protected] ) Kim Tan

780-444-7355

Bocce Vern English ([email protected] ) 780-466-1782

Bowling (5 Pin) Caroline Anker ([email protected] ) Pat Chobater ([email protected] )

587-469-4460 780-469-0727

Bridge (Contract) Vacant

Bridge (Duplicate) Don Holtom ([email protected] ) Louise Holtom ([email protected] )

780-475-8252 780-475-8252

Carpet Bowling Louise Libich ([email protected] ) Vacant

780-222-6208

Creative Writing Eleanore Frend ([email protected] ) Marshall Yaremcio ([email protected] )

780-462-7488 780-434-1754

Cribbage Delores Heck ([email protected] ) 587-473-2378

Cycling Harvey Ford ([email protected] ) Ilene & Richard Larson ([email protected] )

780-434-1063 780-435-6537

Darts Lloyd White ([email protected] ) 780-436-8533

Euchre John Frank ([email protected] ) Linda Bird ([email protected] )

780-476-0140 780-475-1700

Floor Curling Louise Libich ([email protected] ) 780-222-6208

Floor Shuffleboard Iris Hrushchak ([email protected] ) Rosalyn (Roz) Schilberg ([email protected] )

780-469-0000 780-466-0148

Golf Vacant

Hockey Gordon Severin ([email protected] ) Wally Hawryschuk ([email protected] )

780-430-6827 780-437-1098

Horseshoes Vacant

Ice Curling Vacant

Military Whist Joyce Ruptash ([email protected] ) Delores Heck ([email protected] )

780-476-3978 587-473-2378

Pickleball Vacant

Pool (Snooker) Pool (8-Ball) Elaine Maxwell ([email protected] ) 780-483-2983

Scrabble Clint & Geneva Sopchyshyn 780-434-7133

Skiing (Cross Country) Vacant

Skiing (Downhill) Vacant

Slo-Pitch Bill Yakymyshyn ([email protected] ) 780-437-6598

Swimming Vacant

Table Shuffleboard Vacant

Tennis Vacant

Track and Field Arnold Nett ([email protected] ) Dwight Swane ([email protected] )

780-475-8971 780-487-4159

As you can see, there are many opportunities for you to become involved by becoming a Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator. If you see a spot that fits in with your interests, contact Activity Director, Louise Libich to volunteer. We have training and assistance available for anyone who wants to get involved, but does have not experience. We also have Guideline Manuals for each Activity Coordinator with a list of contacts, and instructions on “how to set up a tournament or competition” – step-by-step. Come play with us!
























mailto:arnold




Greetings from the Activity Director

What a Spring! I sometimes thought it wouldn’t end – right from one event to another! And the weather? Well, it was Spring – so what could we do? Just grin and bear it! When it was windy and cold, you just wore warmer clothes – and that’s what our good and faithful Zone 6 participants did with our outdoor games. It was chilly, but we all stuck with it.

We are sending approximately 105 participants to the Summer Games in Medicine Hat.

For all our Participants – Congratulations! You’ve made it this far – so let’s go all the way, and have fun, and bring home medals!

Louise Libich, Zone 6 Activity Director

Two Lovely Ladies (written by Marshall Yaremcio)

These two lovely ladies – most of you will know who I am writing about! They have been the backbone of Alberta 55plus Zone 6 Edmonton for the past three playoff seasons – for the Edmonton Fall Games in 2018, the Cold Lake Winter Games in 2019, and for the Medicine Hat Summer Games coming up in July. As you will have noticed, there are a number of vacancies on our Coordinators’ list, and Caroline and Louise have taken on the playoffs for all those activities with no Coordinator – that’s ten activities! As well as attending all the playoffs run by Coordinators, they phoned all the members who had expressed interest in the activity, booked venues and planned and ran them all. This was true of Tennis, Swimming, Ice Curling, Skiing (Alpine and Cross Country), Contract Bridge, Table Shuffleboard, and Golf. If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m

obliged to tell you that they are Caroline Anker, President and Louise Libich, Activity Director.

Caroline, in addition to being President, is also Coordinator for 5 Pin Bowling, and Arts & Crafts. Louise, our busy Activity Director, is also Coordinator for Carpet Bowling, and Floor Curling; she attends all the activity playoffs, managing the registration forms and keeping track of registration fees, and all related fees, and does the computer registrations. She ran the Military Whist playoff so that our faithful Coordinator Joyce Ruptash could play in the event. Sometimes, Louise enlists the aid of her family members to help out. To Caroline and Louise – many ‘THANKS’ from all our members for keeping all the events open so that the playoffs could take place. Our Alberta 55plus motto is “stay active in mind and body”, and these two ladies certainly exemplify that. But they still find time for some of their favourite card games.

A number of our Coordinators also “go the extra mile”. Long-time Darts Coordinators, LeRoy and Eleanor MacIntosh, not only ran their own playoff, but also helped out with Horseshoes. And they also recruited family members to not only help out, but to become Alberta 55plus members – and play. LeRoy and Eleanor have had to resign as Coordinators because of health problems, but we thank them and applaud them for all they have done so willingly over the years. And Bill Burton, Badminton Coordinator, also recruits family members to help with fun events and playoffs. All our Coordinators deserve our sincere thanks, and ongoing support for the fine job they do – you are all appreciated – more than we can say. Thank you!

VOLUNTEER FORM FOR COORDINATOR / ASSISTANT COORDINATOR:

I hereby volunteer as for Alberta 55plus Zone 6 Edmonton.

Date: Signed:

Printed Name of Person Volunteering:




Cold Lake Provincial Games

The 2019 Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games were held at Cold Lake February 28th through March 3rd. These Games, (or any Games for that matter) have never been held at Cold Lake. The community has their annual Air Show with the Air Force Base next door, but they have never hosted any Games. With the oil patch in an economic down-turn, they hoped the Winter Games would generate a real economic boost for the community. Cold Lake did a tremendous job for first-time hosts. The Games did indeed provide an economic boost, but overall, the Games ended in a deficit position. Twelve events were featured in the Games. Approximately 900 participants came to play; unfortunately, this number fell short of the expected number.

The Opening Ceremonies were a real treat, with special guests entertaining the crowd with skits about the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. This was followed by a special tribute band playing ABBA’s popular songs; audience members were up on their feet dancing while others clapped in rhythm. Great entertainment! Cold Lake welcomed all athletes from across our snow-covered province. The host community name – Cold Lake – lived up to its reputation with temperatures of -20˚ C to -29˚ C.

Many of our athletes remarked that the community was happy to see us – with lots of comments about the Games adding extra cash into the economy. It is so nice to hear that our organization is contributing to the economy of smaller communities in many ways. We hope that our Alberta 55plus members being exposed to Cold Lake hospitality will be an incentive to go back and visit again. Who says seniors do not contribute to society anymore? Just check with Cold Lake!

Hockey Report – Provincial Winter Games – Gord Severin & Bob Tessier

Congratulations are extended to all Vintage teams and to members of Vintage players that cooperated in completing the rosters for other zones. The Vintage hockey organization is the core provider for participants for all age categories in zone six. Vintage hosts several inter club matches, this is the base for selecting the team rosters to represent zone six. Zone six players not selected by their zone are available to cooperatively fill [not replace] needs in the surrounding zones, as they did for the Cold Lake Games. The success of zone six hockey is as follows:

55+; won 3 of 4 games; one loss in the final games in overtime; silver medal

60+; did not medal

65+; undefeated, gold medal



Zone 6 players were successfully integrated as fills with the following zones:

Zone 5; 65+ -silver

Zone 5; 70+ - bronze

Zone 5; 75+ - silver

Zone 4; 60+ - bronze

Hockey in the 55 plus category continues to be one the fastest growing activities in Canada. The Vintage hockey organization has continually over the past several years increased its ice time to accommodate the ever-increasing number of players. The club maintains its membership by being more than a hockey venue. They host numerous inter zone competitions, are involved in numerous community events, host luncheons, Christmas Party, golf tournament and are in constant communication with the executive through almost daily e-mails.

Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.

War does not determine who is right, only who is left.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

I used to be indecisive, but now I’m not so sure.

I’m supposed to respect my elders, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to find one now.




Zone 6 Medal Winners from the Cold Lake Games

Event: Placement and Medal Winner(s)

5 Pin Bowling – 75+ Women’s Single Delores Heck – Gold

Darts – 55+ Men Lloyd White – Gold

Darts – 70+ Men LeRoy MacIntosh – Bronze

Darts – 55+ Female Doreen MacIntosh – Bronze

Darts – 70+ Female Eleanor MacIntosh – Silver

Duplicate Bridge – 55+ Open Partners Mohinder Chhina & Abdeal Naffar – 1 a – (162 score)

Duplicate Bridge – 55+ Open Partners Louise & Donald Holtom – 3 a, b – (126.5 score)

Hockey – 55+ Silver – Bev Coupal, Norma Campbell, Shelley Holte, Sherry Knutsvig, Roxanne McKean, Venita O’Callaghan, Belinda Rasmussen, Alexis Hlady, Cindy Baker, Krista Emery, Dianne Getz, and Sharon Trueblood

Hockey – 65+ Gold – Bob Tessier, Doug Bulat, Rodney Johnson, Ross MacKenzie, Bill McBride, Peter McDonald, Barry Middleton, Shaun Murphy, Jim Steeden, John Swain, Dave Vinge, Doug Wellman, Gordon Wilkes and John Kleinschroth

Hockey – 70+ Gold – Bob Morrisey, Ron Berlando, James Bond, Garry Evans, Tom Fowler, Don Grimble, Jim Knull, Dave McIntyre, Steve Pawlik, Tom Pennie, Eric Preville, Don Sagriff, Randy Smith, Greg Wickens, Greg Wilkes and Paul St. Cyr

Hockey – 75+ Gold – Jim Doty, Richard Covlin, Dom Coulombe, Gord Fennell, Wally Hawryschuk, Rusty Kappel, Gord Legare, Patrick McQuaid, John Roy, Tony Saulnier, George Severin, Bob Shewchuk and John De Graaf

Ice Curling – 65+ Men Gold – Bruce Nattras, Larry Dombrosky, Randy Hirsch and John Cabaj

Pickleball – 55+ Men’s Doubles Silver – Kirk Jensen and Jamie Pallett

Pickleball – 60+ Women’s Doubles Gold – Catherine Olsen and Gwen Otto

Pickleball – 70+ Men’s Doubles Gold – Butch Norman and Robert Marik

Pickleball – 60+ Mixed Doubles Silver – Wizniuk and Gwen Otto

Scrabble – 55+ Open Singles Bronze – Clayton Terry

Scrabble – 70+ Open Singles Gold – Lorette Fairfield

CONGRATULATIONS to all our medal winners, and to each and every zone 6 athlete who competed in the Cold Lake Games. Here are a few photos from those Games:




Emma Germain celebrated her 90th birthday Clayton Terry receives his medal in Scrabble, Clint on the bus home. Sopchyshyn Judge

Lorette Fairfield, Clayton Terry Louise & Don Holtom, Abdeal Naffar & Mohinder Chhina Scrabble Duplicate Bridge

Some of our Pickleball Players (and Medal Winners)

Thoughts to Ponder:

Can you cry under water?

What disease did ‘cured ham’ actually have?

Why is ‘bra’ singular, and ‘panties’ plural?

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?

Why do peanuts float in regular coke, & sink in diet coke?

How important does a person have to be before they’re considered assassinated instead of just murdered?




2019 Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games

Events featured in the Medicine Hat Summer Games (July 4-7) are:

Events:

Bocce Contract Bridge Cribbage

Cycling Floor Curling Floor Shuffleboard

Golf Horseshoes Military Whist

Pool – 8 Ball SloPitch Swimming

Tennis Track and Field Arts & Photography

Zone 6 Playoffs to Advance to Summer Games in Medicine Hat

Floor Shuffleboard: The playoff for Floor Shuffleboard was held at SEESA on April 13th with 8 teams playing to advance to Medicine Hat for the Summer Games in July. The winners in 55+ category were Jim Clifford and Ethel Reid. Winners in the 70+ category were Stan and Dianne Androschuk. Coordinator Iris Hrushchak and Assistant Roz Schilberg thank everyone for coming out to play and have fun. Good Luck to Jim and Ethel, and to Stan and Dianne.

Submitted by Irish Hrushchak & Roz Schilberg

Bocce Qualifiers:

Our 55+ Bocce team in Medicine Hat will be Clint & Geneva Sopchyshyn and Richard & Anna Fahrion. Our 70+ team will be John & Carol Sievers and Roger Johnson & Maureen Bishop. Good luck to them all!

Track and Field:

We had our 2019 Zone 6 Edmonton Track and Field Meet on Friday, May 17th. A total of 10 people competed at the Meet – 3 women and 7 men. From our winners, two women and four men have registered to compete at the Provincial Games at Medicine Hat in July. At the conclusion of the competition, we had pizza and pop at the Royal Pizza. Advancing to the Summer Games are Cindy Benedictson (55+), Yuko Nakano (75+), Brian Seals (65+), Takuo Nakano (75+), Peter Kwan (80+), and Vic Fedyna (85+). Cindy is a new member of Alberta 55plus, and Brian Seals is a former Zone 5 member but moved into Edmonton. Well done all!

Submitted by Coordinator Arnold Nett




Military Whist:

On May 17th, Friday, we had a playoff to go to Medicine Hat. We had three teams enter, but one team had already qualified for a spot to play in the Summer Games, so that left only two teams. Both the remaining teams (by default) are going to the Games in July. We made the best of a poor situation, and all who were there played just for fun. We had a delicious lunch prepared by our cooks at NWESA. We played a few more games after lunch, and then went home early.

The Mary Hogg Military Whist tournament will be played September 27th at NWESA. Watch for the poster, and call Joyce Ruptash at 780-476-3978 to pre-register.

Submitted by Coordinator Joyce Ruptash

Golf:

Our playoff to qualify to advance to the Medicine Hat Provincial Games was held at Raven Crest Golf Club. The Club rebuilt the banquet room to be more open and spacious which is a very nice change. There are also ‘all new’ electric golf carts (we had to sign a statement that we wouldn’t abuse their property – and it listed the cost of each item if it was damaged).

The day was cold and windy. My clothing consisted of 4 layers of sweatshirts, but the wind still took away my body heat. As a last resort, I put on my long, wind-proof jacket, and was finally warm, and my nose stopped dripping! However, my golf game took a beating as I was unable to swing properly. I hit 8 trees!!!!! But I think the golf gods felt sorry for me, because they bounced my ball back onto the fairway. But even with their help, my score was over 100 for the round. The other players did much better than me, and are off to Medicine Hat – we wish them good luck!

Submitted by Golfer Marshall Yaremcio

Fun Tournaments and Events:

Euchre:

A fun Euchre tournament was held at NWESA on March 22nd, 2019. Registration began at 10:30 am with card playing starting at 11:00 am. The cost was $10 to enter with $5 being given out as prizes. There were nine teams entered. Attendance was down, as we usually have sixteen teams playing. The first place team was Don and Louise Holtom. The second place team was Lyle and Evelyn Waun. And third place was won by Dianne Androschuk and Linda Frank. Memberships were sold by Louise Libich. Louise and Caroline Anker played in

the tourney. A fine meal was served at noon. The tourney was completed by 3:00 pm and everyone enjoyed the day.

Submitted by Coordinator John Frank




Duplicate Bridge:

Results of Fun Game played Saturday, February 9th, 2019:

Leaders after 25 boards Average: 25.0

Place Pct. Score Pair Names

1 61.00 20.50 A-1 Don Holtom – Louise Holtom

2 57.00 28.50 A-6 Bob Hemmings – Elaine Maxwell

3 54.00 27.00 A-3 Joe Walter – Lloyd White

4 46.00 23.00 A-4 Charlie Sams – Marshall Yaremcio

5 45.00 22.50 A-5 Pat Covington – Vicki Ball

6 37.00 18.50 A-2 Matt Romanow – Rose Potter

Results from Fun Duplicate Bridge game on Saturday, April 13th, 2019:

Leaders after 27 boards Average: 36.0

Place Pct. Score Pair Names

1 59.72 43.00 A-4 Lloyd White – Joe Walter

2 54.86 39.50 A-6 Don Holtom – Louise Holtom

3 54.17 39.00 A-10 Clayton Terry – Matt Romanow

4/5 53.47 38.50 A-3 Gloria Zielinski – Vicki Ball

4.5 53.47 38.50 A-8 Eric Swanson – Linda Havens

6 47.92 34.50 A-5 Marshall Yaremcio – Charlie Sams

7 46.53 33.50 A-1 Kathleen Correia – Rose Potter

8 40.28 29.00 A-9 Joan Batten – Lorette Fairfield

9 39.58 28.50 A-7 Pat Covington – Jessie Trottier

As noted in a mass e-mail sent out to Zone 6 members, Duplicate Bridge has moved its venue of play from Queen Mary Park to Norwood Legion #178 (11150-82 Street). Play is held with the Centennial Bridge Club on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon. Registration fee is $5. For more information contact Coordinator Don Holtom ([email protected]) or by phone at 780-475-8252.

All Alberta 55 plus members are invited to a duplicate bridge fun game June 15, 2019 at NWESS (formerly Calder) 12963-120 Street. Play to start at noon. Cost $5.00 each with cash prizes. There will be coffee, tea and muffins available. If you require any extra food, bring your own as there will be no food service at NWESS on Saturday. Please contact Don Holtom to register at [email protected] or telephone: 780-475-8252.






Provincial AGM at Red Deer:

Twenty-eight intrepid souls boarded a bus and headed down to Red Deer to attend the Provincial AGM on May 6th, 2019. BiWest Translines from Camrose provided an awesome bus – first class transportation; thanks to Caroline Anker for arranging for the bus to Red Deer, and also to the Winter Games in Cold Lake, and the Summer Games in Medicine Hat.

About 128 Alberta 55plus members were in attendance. Zone Presidents gave their reports, and the majority of them expressed concerns about dwindling membership, and what can be done to combat this problem. Many are finding it difficult to find board members and coordinators who are willing to commit, which makes it hard to run activities as they should be run.

Some items brought up at the meeting were:

Members are encouraged to get your 55+ children to join Alberta 55plus. Perhaps pay their first-year membership fee as an incentive!

What can be done to increase membership? Is the Provincial Board working on this? (Yes – they most certainly are!) What solutions have they come up with?

Will Lawn Bowling be an activity with Alberta 55plus, now that it is an event with the Canada 55 Plus Games?

Many of the zone logos still include ASCSRA on them. When explaining what Alberta 55plus is to prospective members, it becomes very confusing. How many of our members really know what our relationship with ASCSRA is?

Zone ‘identity names’ also tend to lead to confusion (are we zone 6 or are we Marigold?). Names like Black Gold, Marigold, Sunshine Coasters, Sunny South, Mighty Peace, Lakeland, and Big Country are not necessarily that attractive to younger retirees – the 55+ to 65+ group.

Provincial Vice President North Pat Covington presented Merit Awards to Louise Libich and Eleanore Frend for their work with Zone 6. A Lifetime Membership was given to long-time member Vicky Dolynny; Vicky was unable to attend the meeting, and President Caroline Anker brought the certificate back to be presented in Edmonton.

Submitted by Marshall Yaremcio

Need a Giggle?

I live in a semi-rural area. We recently had a new neighbour call the local city council office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road. The reason: “Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don’t think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore!”




Edmonton Pickleball Club

The Royal Gardens Pickleball Courts are located at Royal Gardens Community League (4030-117 Street). The Tennis courts were not being used very much and were in disrepair. A Pickleball Club was formed, patching the holes, removing trees and weeds, along with a huge clean-up project. Plans were drawn up for restoration of new courts, and it took three years of planning, fundraising, and sweat and labour to create the courts in the following photos. Club membership as of April 7th was 455 – plus late renewals of 131 to equal 586 members for 2019. Last year new decks were built for viewing and waiting for your turn to play. If you want to view some outdoor Pickleball bring your own lawn chair, and enjoy!

Cough CPR, and How to Survive a Heart Attack When Alone

Let's say it is 6:15 p.m. and you're driving home

(alone of course), after an usually hard day on the

job. You are really tired, upset and frustrated.

Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your

chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up

into your jaw. You are only about five miles from

the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately you

do not know if you will be able to make it that far.

You've been trained in CPR but the guy that taught

the course didn't tell you what to do if it happened

to yourself.

What can you do?

What are you to do if you have a heart attack while

you are alone. The response is called Cough CPR. A

cardiologist says it is the truth and it could save

your life! Since many people are alone when they

suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose

heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel

faint has only about 10 seconds left before losing

consciousness. However, these victims can help

themselves by coughing repeatedly and very

vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before

each Cough and the cough must be deep and

prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep

inside the chest.

A breath and a cough must be repeated about every

two seconds without let up until help arrives, or

until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.

Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and

coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the

blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the

heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this

way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.

From Health Cares, Rochester General Hospital via

Chapter 240s newsletter 'AND THE BEAT GOES ON'

(reprint from The Mended Hearts, Inc. Publication,

Heart Response)




Can you solve the following? (See page 16 for answers.)

SAND STAND

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BOARD

T O W N

CYCLE CYCLE CYCLE

R ROADS

A D S

O PH.D. BA.D. MA.D.

GROUND feet feet feet feet feet feet

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R/E/A/D/I/N/G

MAN / HIMSELF DEATH / LIFE DICE

DICE ECNALG

TIME (by Marshall Yaremcio)

A University of Alberta Economist claims we are not putting enough value on time itself. People, especially seniors, undervalue their own time on the assumption that time doesn't have any visible value directly attached to it. But the older we get, we realize time is the most valuable thing there is.

Time comes up in everything we do, from willingness to walk longer distances for cheaper parking, to walking or driving to the store for milk. When we as seniors don't value our time, it makes it easier for companies and Government to take more of it for free. Whether it’s being stuck on hold while on the phone, waiting in line to buy a bus pass, or talking to a live person in the bank – it all makes a claim on our time.

The fact that time seems to be free, leads to inefficiencies in how we organize things in our lives and the economy. This includes when seniors tend to think their views are much more widely held than they truly are.

Let’s not be stuck on hold – organize your time, and enjoy your freedom to do it! By now we deserve it – that is – more time fully utilized.

Our River Valley (by Marshall Yaremcio)

In the past, I have written articles about our River Valley, and the hiking, walking and biking trails – all kinds of outdoor enjoyment. Birding, walking, fishing, running, cycling, different growth of trees, berry picking (in season), crossing four walking bridges (there were five, but the new Valley Line LRT swallowed one), all the while enjoying fresh air in the inner City of Edmonton.

If we go back (say 80 years) to the 1940’s, our river valley was devoid of many trees, living things, eatable berries and plants, birds and fish. The North Saskatchewan River in the early days was a highway for fur trappers, a source of food and of drinking water and water for general use. As civilization progressed, settlers moved in by the thousands. The river valley became a moonscape from coal mining, gold hunters dredging the river, meat packing plants on the shores, and tanneries dumping waste and chemicals into the river. Raw sewage was also dumped into the river. Do you remember that Edmonton was once the meat packing capital of Canada? If you question that the river became a dumping ground, rent a boat and check out the steep




banks along the river that expose the many dumping sites. The many glass bottles and jars are all eroded by gravel.

By the time World War II ended, as you can imagine, the river valley was pretty ugly with floating household garbage, meat packing plant waste, and chemicals – it was horrible. Someone in the Provincial government finally figured out that this might pose a health risk to the public, and decided to test the water. Their resulting report was scary! By the time the North Saskatchewan River water reached the Saskatchewan border, it was devoid of any living things like birds, insects, animals or fish. Since that time, ecological recovery has slowly returned the river to the health which we see today. Edmonton and surrounding towns and villages all work hard to ensure that industry and farming do not pollute our river. One example of this is that some of the treated water goes directly to our oil refineries, filtered and used for their purposes, and is then treated again before returning back to the river. Ecological engineers working with the Fairview Water Treatment Plant in Edmonton and the Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission have done a lot of research, and have implemented programs in Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, and the surrounding area to make our drinking water pure and safe, and that our rivers are healthy once more. Trees and shrubs have been planted along the shores, and parks now sit where old dump sites and gravel pits once were; ponds have been added or brought back, providing habitat for aquatic insects, ducks, geese and birds.

A walk down through the river valley in the spring, summer, fall or winter can seem very surreal. Once you are in the river valley proper, you can no longer hear or see the city. Only then do you get to experience the “true wilderness within the city”. Listen to the birds singing and calling, taste the wild berries (don’t pick them to take home – leave lots for others to taste, and for the wild birds to eat). There are lots of our wild Alberta rose plants – taste the petals – they’re full of Vitamin C. There are many edible and useful plants growing along the river – Saskatoon berries, wild raspberries and strawberries, horse radish and wild garlic. Take along a book to help identify them when you are out walking. But best leave the mushroom picking to professionals – best to not take a chance on eating something poisonous.

I do have concerns about the usage of coarse salt and the calcium chloride solution used on our streets during winter. Aside from worrying about the under-carriage of our vehicles, should we also be concerned that any of this ends up back in the river? I also get concerned about the loss of trees being dug out as contractors build new housing and multiple-housing complexes; density is even heavier in outlying suburbs than in the older parts of the city. Now two in-fill houses fill one lot, with very little clearance between neighbours. Our city has grown dramatically in the past 25 years – out in all directions. With the loss of trees and shrubs, the ability to decrease carbon dioxide and increase oxygen in the air is compromised until new greenery is planted and mature. There has been a decline in the population of local birds and honey bees. One can only hope that our City has control of all these things so that they do not jeopardize the beautiful green spaces and river valley parks which make Edmonton so attractive.

Here are some photos taken around Edmonton of spots that go unnoticed amidst the hustle and bustle of city living.

Totem pole on grounds of Royal Albert Museum and Government House.

The Korean pagoda on the grounds of the Royal Albert Museum and Government House – note the beautiful ceiling decoration of the interior.




The 102nd

Avenue bridge as seen from below – McDonald’s doesn’t have all the arches. An early robin eats last year’s mountain ash berries, and a lovely woodland trail in autumn in the river valley. All photos courtesy of Marshall Yaremcio.

Answers to Quiz on page 14:

Sandbox I understand Man overboard Downtown

Tricycle Crossroads 0 degrees Highchair

6 feet underground Touchdown Circles under the eyes

Split Level

Reading between the lines

Man beside himself Life after death Paradise Backward glance

How many did you get? Without peaking at the answers?

You’re Never Too Old

Have you ever heard the phrase, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? Well – as a dog trainer said, “It all

depends on the dog!” The same is true of people. We can continue to learn through our 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and

on into our 80’s and 90’s. If we do, we’ll be healthier, happier, and probably live longer. Not only that, but our

chances of success at whatever we attempt to do are much greater than they would be if we let ourselves

vegetate.

When you stop learning, you literally start dying! Your brain and body begin to lose their adaptability and grow

‘rusty from disuse’. Our motor and mental skills are likely to deteriorate due to lack of practice and disuse.

While it is true that our bodies do show the effects of aging, our power to learn should remain undiminished –

the speed and capacity may be less, but we can learn at any age. Experts say people who keep their minds

active show little or sometimes no mental aging diseases.

Try not to make the mistake of thinking these critical periods of learning apply to others, and not to you. Look

around at your mature friends and acquaintances. Those who keep active with interests and passions really

enjoy life – they get a kick out of living! Then there are many more who have found nothing better to do than

spend hours and hours in front of their televisions, aging along with their furniture. The active ones are

generally in better health, and are more alert. The more we keep our minds and bodies active, the better they

tend to work. If we slow down to a walk, our attentions turn inward, and we tend to dwell on our own failing

health – new ailments seem to multiply.

New interests, or new ailments – you still have time to choose. Which would you prefer? Getting old is a

tragedy – getting old-er is fun! And what better way to keep physically and mentally active than to become a

volunteer in Alberta 55plus as a Coordinator or board member? Come and play with us!




Nostalgia from Days Gone By (a poem most of us can relate to – Author Anonymous)

I remember the corned beef of my childhood, And the bread that we cut with a knife.

When children helped with the housework, And the men went to work, not the wife.

The cheese never need a fridge, And the bread was crusty and hot! The children were seldom unhappy

And the wife was content with her lot.

I remember the milk from a bottle, With the yummy cream on the top. Our dinner came hot from the oven,

And not from a freezer or shop.

The kids were a lot more contented, They didn’t need money for kicks;

Just a game with friends on the road, And sometimes the Saturday flicks.

I remember the shop on the corner, Where biscuits for pennies were sold. Do you think I’m a bit too nostalgic?

Or is it, I’m just getting old?

Some More Humour:

My husband and I went through the McDonald’s driveway window and I gave the cashier a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her 25¢. She said, “You gave me too much money!” I said, “Yes, I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar back.” She sighed, and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the 25¢, and said, “We’re sorry, but we don’t do that kind of thing.” The cashier then proceeded to give me back 75¢ in change. Moral: Do not confuse the people at McDonald’s!

We had to have the garage door repaired. The repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a ‘large’ enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one made at that time, a ½ horsepower. He shook his head and said, “You need a ¼ horsepower motor.” I responded that ½ was larger than ¼, and he said, “NOOOOO, it’s not! Four is larger than two!” We haven’t used that repairman since!

Creative Writing Medals at Zone 6 AGM

Creative Writing was one of the events at the Cold Lake Winter Games. As writers send in their entries electronically, they are not on hand to receive their medals. As a result the medal winners from Zone 6 were invited to attend the Zone 6 AGM in March, and Coordinators Eleanore Frend and Marshall Yaremcio presented medals to Jack White, and Jean-Claude Jetté, who was there to accept on behalf of his wife Monika. Congratulations to our Creative Writers!




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