THE CONNECTION
Bruce Peninsula Seniors Connect Inc. Newsletter
            Tobermory, Lion’s Head, Wiarton, Sauble Beach

Issue 19 – April 2007

BRUCE PENINSULA SENIORS CONNECT IS ENTIRELY FUNDED THROUGH DONATIONS. ANY DONATIONS WOULD BE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED.
90 Main St, P.O. Box 902, Lion’s Head, Ontario N0H 2T0    Phone: 519-793-3781    Fax: 519-793-4761

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Seniors Swimming Available
Limited Time at Tobermory Lodge
Last year Bruce Peninsula Seniors Connect completed a Strategic Plan which, through extensive community consultation, identified the key issues and concerns of Seniors on the Bruce Peninsula. Access to swimming was very high on this list.
Thanks to the efforts of new Seniors Connect Board members, Shirley Johnstone of Tobermory and Barb Fisher of Kincardine and with a very special thanks to John Kraner arrangements have been made to have the swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and fitness room at the Tobermory Lodge available for Seniors who signed up.
This was a very successful first run and hopefully we will be able to re-negotiate other opportunities.
Having a Seniors Moment?

Not a month goes by when I do not hear someone say by way of explanation for having forgotten something – “I must be having a Seniors moment”.
In reality, how good our memory is and the degree of memory loss we have as we age is determined by both genetic and lifestyle factors. About one-third of our memory health is attributable to genetic factors. That means we have some ability to influence the other two-thirds. These factors include our daily experiences, life style factors and our overall “brain fitness”.
Here are 10 tips to help to keep your memory sharp.
  1. Exercise regularly
  2. Exercise your mind – do crosswords, puzzles, cards
  3. Take a course. Read something new and different - outside your usual area of interest
  4. Keep your large and fine motor skills well honed
  5. Regularly use your non dominant hand
  6. Eat the right food
  7. Lose weight
  8. Control your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar
  9. Quit smoking
  10. Drink moderately
These will all sound familiar, but did you know that these activities would also help improve your memory?

                  
Be Prepared
 
Emergency preparedness was identified by many Seniors as one of their major concerns. Thankfully, we made it through this winter without any major problems. Being prepared – being properly prepared – is not a simple task. Fortunately there are a number of local and provincial agencies who developed the necessary guides to help us through this maze. In the next few months we will identify and review some of these guides.
One of the easiest things to forget is the need to get our papers and documents in order. This is fully described in “Creating an Emergency Financial Kit”. This booklet will help you identify all the important information and contact others will need should you be unable to help yourself when the emergency occurs. More important, if you create a checklist and collect the documents in a safe place, you will have just one package to take with you if you have to leave your home – short term or long term.
The booklet is a convenient place to record the information and it provides you with a checklist of 44 categories of papers, documents, and statement. It sounds more complicated than it really is. The guide is brief – only 10 pages and easy to use.
This guide is available from the Grey Bruce Health Unit and is on their web site. In addition, we have copies available at the Bruce Peninsula Seniors Connect office.

Creative Seniors
Starting this month, and each month hereafter, we will feature the creative work of our local seniors. The first story is from C. Patricia Horner.
 
Kidnapped
  
I was nestled amongst the flowers and so enjoying the late fall blooming of the garden chrysants. Winter would soon be here and I wanted to savor the last days of warmth and sunshine.
Suddenly there were footsteps nearby and I felt a wave of fear and uncertainty suffuse my mind and body. I braced myself as I was swept up with the flowers into the arms of someone I didn’t know. Cold terror enveloped me as I was carried into a nearby house and set down upon carefully laid out newspapers. When my unknown kidnapper approached with a container of water and a pair of vicious knives I managed to flee in fear – I actually took off with wings and hid behind a door. When the coast was clear and the flowers arranged, the assailant opened the door to leave and my wings of freedom again bore me away to find protection in the bush. I may appear to have a hard shell but inside I am really very small, soft and scared. That is why I will spend the winter under a rock and wait for spring.
The life of a ladybird beetle is precarious indeed!

Moral of the Story –
When you are behind a rock and a hard place, don’t crack your shell.


Something to Think About
I believe that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe that you can keep going long after you can’t.

Newsletter
New Focus
The mandate of Bruce Peninsula Seniors Connect is to bring to you, through programming, workshops and this newsletter, information on the issues you have identified as of interest or importance to you.
Next month we will introduce “Peninsula Profiles”   tributes to Seniors who live, work and contribute to the Peninsula. If you know of a person who deserves a few words of appreciation, contact the Editor at the Seniors Connect office. Leave your name and we will follow up.
                  
Seniors Connect
Tobermory
Arrangements have been made for a Seniors Drop-in Center at the Tobermory Legion every Thursday afternoon, starting at 3:00 p.m. for cards, crokinole, shuffleboard, coffee and conversation. Everyone is welcome.
Plans are also being finalized for several new activities for Seniors. A monthly Dinner, Shopping Trips, Slide Presentations and Guest Speakers. Watch for Posters advertising these events.
Sheila Barta is looking for people in the Tobermory area who would be willing to be volunteer drivers. If anyone is interested please contact her at 519-596-8136.

Seniors Connect
Lion's Head
Mondays
Happy Hands - Hand Crafts, Knitting, Crocheting, Rug Hooking, etc.

Wednesdays
Coffee Connection - a social time of conversations in a relaxed setting
with tea or coffee.

Thursdays
Crafts and Conversation - Join us for the craft of your choice
and conversation.

Fridays
Movie Days - Comedy, Nature, Travellogues, etc.