Boomers and Beyond Elgin January 2022

Boomers and Beyond Elgin January 2022

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Celebrating the 55+ Community of Elgin County January 2022 • Issue 28

“Seize the day, and then let it go” Marty Rubin The holidays have come and gone; another cycle around the sun has once again brought us to a new beginning. It is 2022, and according to the movies, we are way behind (or ahead depending on your point of view). Back to the Fu- ture 2 took place back

make my life a little better, a little healthier. That way, even at the end of the month, even if I’ve had a few bad days, I can remember that my good days out numbered them and keep getting better! I started today by drinking six glasses of water before I had anything else to drink. January is Alzheimer & Dementia Awareness Month, so together with our friends at the St. Thomas Elgin Alzheimer Society, we have included an article on the warning signs to look out for. We also talk about the silent disease, osteoporosis, and how you can take steps in your life to help keep your bones strong and healthy for as long as possible! In this issue, we also share with you the story of the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre’s (STEPAC) new cookbook that is both a fundraiser and homage to the lovely ladies of the Women’s Committee who were fundamental to the creation and success of the STEPAC. We also introduce you to the Port Stanley 55+ Club who get together for some great causes and great fun! I am looking forward to another great year of bringing you, our readers, Boomers & Beyond. If you have a story geared towards a 55+ audience that you think should be shared, please share it with me at [email protected]; I am always happy to listen! As always, I hope we make this year the year everyone shops as local as possible, and I ask that you include the fine businesses who help support Boomers & Beyond , because without them, there is no magazine. Happy New Year!!

in 2015; Running Man back in 2017; Blade Runner was set in 2019. Thankfully, we still have 60 years before Total Recall is supposed to happen! Depending how you look at it, 2022 so far seems pretty similar to the last two years. But on the other hand, as bad as it can be at times, it’s a lot nicer than what Blade Runner thought this year would be like, so there is that. As we are all excited to start our new calendars, we often start thinking about how we can improve ourselves. But all too often, as January slips into February, that excitement wears off, and we are usually left feeling more disappointed about our slipups than happy about our successes. That is why this year, I am going to do one thing every day to

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Port Stanley and Community 55 Plus Club Dedicated to the Social Active Senior in our Community By Marie Geerts, President, Port Stanley & Community 55 Plus Club

In 1992, The Port Stanley Senior group at Legion Branch 410 wanted to separate from the Legion and so needed a new venue and name. Sylvia Hofhuis, Reeve at the time, got approval for the new club to meet at the Arena Hall every Monday. The name The Port Stanley & Community 55 Plus Club was chosen and there has been no looking back. The new club had a membership of 63. They played euchre one Monday and bingo the next Monday, with residents from Extendicare in Port Stanley coming over to play bingo. They had to drop bingo and just play euchre on Mondays when bingos started at the Bingo Hall. From 1992 – 1994, the group were sponsors at Bingo Bingo. When business slowed down, they were dropped from the sponsor group, but they picked up Bingo Country in the spring of 1994. The Bingo Hall is now Jackpot City and we are still working the bingos. By 2017, the membership had grown to 211. Central Elgin had put the rent up and the hall was getting too small so we started looking for a new venue and found the Masonic Centre Hall. The space was bigger and on the ground level, much better for our members. It was also more central to the membership. In 2018, the membership was capped as we were running out of room again. Our membership at this time was just under 200 but we still are not accepting new members as capacity is now restricted by the COVID Virus. Volunteering at the Bingo Hall has allowed the club to make many donations through the years. This year we donated $8000 to 4 local groups along with the STEGH Foundation and the Elgin Hospice, though this year our donations were down from other years. The food drive at our Christmas dinner brought in over $1000 and a SUV of food, split between the St. Thomas and Port Stanley food

banks. We have 12 bingo volunteers at this time, who take turns working at the bingo hall. The club arranged bus trips, theatre outings, casino trips, catered dinners and special fun nights, to name a few events. This has all stopped for the present time but we are hopeful that as things open up, we will return to somewhat normal. There is a yearly membership fee and admission to the card games. We are a social group and just want to provide our seniors with some quality time with good friendships and hopefully, we will be back to playing cards in the New Year. Front Row: Marie Geerts, President, John Brenders, Treasurer. Back Row: STEGH Foundation staff, Sandra Crossett, Bingo Chairperson, Jacqueline Bloom, STEGH Foundation CEO.

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Volunteer of the Month Sponsored By Royal Oak Senior Living

Sometimes, when people retire, they start volunteering for organizations whose func- tions are similar to what they did for a living. In some cases, like Elizabeth Bourque, they go in a different direction! After spending years working as an X-Ray technician in Kitchener, Elizabeth and her husband moved to St. Thomas for something a little quieter and closer to the water. Elizabeth wanted to get to know her community a little better, so she decided to start volunteering and as she always had a passion for the arts, the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre (STEPAC) seemed like a great choice. “I volunteered in Kitchener for the Homer Watson house, as a receptionist. For the past 4 years, I have been volunteering here [at STEPAC] once a week,” says Elizabeth. Her role is to work the reception desk, answering the phone, answering questions and handling gift shop transactions. “When we moved to St. Thomas, we didn’t know a soul. ‘So how do I meet friends?’” asked Elizabeth. She decided that getting involved was a great way to meet new people, so beyond STEPAC, she also volunteers (and is a board member) for the St. Thomas Public Library, and joined both the St. Thomas and Port Stanley Artists Guilds. “In the arts, I have made a lot of friends.” To Elizabeth, art can also be soothing. While waiting in the ICU after her husband had a heart attack, Elizabeth got lost in the art and it helped keep her calm during a trying time. Being around art has even stoked her passion to create herself, and three of her paintings are currently on display in the gallery (the three to the bottom left of her in the picture).

“I love being in St. Thomas, because it’s friendly,” says Elizabeth. “You don’t have to be snobbish here; even people who have perhaps a lot of influence in town are not snobbish. I like that and I really like being in St. Thomas and the Port Stanley area.” For those who are like Elizabeth, and have some time on their hands, or who would like to meet new people, her advice is simple. “Just find something you’re passionate about and get involved!”

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TenWarning Signs of Dementia Contributed by the Alzeheimer Society (Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford) Dementia is a term used to describe a set of symptoms that may include memory loss, difficulty with problem- solving and changes in behaviour. Dementia is identified when these symptoms are severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia accounting for 60% to 80% of all dementia diagnoses. To help you understand what Alzheimer’s disease might look like, the Alzheimer Society has developed the following list of warning signs: 10 warning signs #1 Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities It is normal to occasionally forget colleagues’ names or a friend’s phone number only to remember them a short while later. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may forget things more often or may have difficulty recalling information that has recently been learned. #2 Difficulty performing familiar tasks At times busy people can be so distracted that they may forget to serve part of a meal, only to remember about it later. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may have trouble completing tasks that have been familiar to them all their lives, such as preparing a meal or playing a game. #3 Problems with language Anyone can have trouble finding the right word at times. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may forget simple words or may substitute words such that what they It is common to forget the day of the week or one’s destination –for a moment. But people with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost on their own street, not knowing how they got there or how to get home. #5 Impaired judgment are saying is difficult to understand. #4 Disorientation in time and space Sometimes people make questionable decisions such as putting off seeing a doctor when they are not feeling Dementia Support

well. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in judgment or decision-making, such as not recognizing a medical problem that needs attention or

wearing heavy clothing on a hot day #6 Problems with abstract thinking

Periodically, people may have difficulty with tasks that require abstract thinking, such as balancing a cheque book. However, someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have significant difficulties with such tasks because of a loss of understanding what numbers are and how they are used. #7 Misplacing things Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. How-

Volunteers Needed! Dementia Visiting Program Trained volunteers are matched with individuals in the community with Alzheimer’s disease, a related dementia or cognitive impairment allowing for companionship for the person as well as respite for caregivers. Through regular visits, volunteers provide companionship, support and respite for caregivers. Training provided.

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ever, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in inappropriate places: for example, an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. #8 Changes in mood and behaviour Anyone can feel sad or moody from time to time. However, someone with Alzheimer’s disease can show varied mood swings – from calmness to tears to anger – for no apparent reason. #9 Changes in personality Personalities can change in subtle ways over time. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may experience more striking personality changes and can become confused, suspicious or withdrawn. #10 Loss of initiative It is normal to tire of housework, or social obligations, but most people regain their initiative. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may become passive and disinterested and require cues and prompting to become involved. For programming information visit the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners website – alzswp.ca

Source: Alzheimer Society of Canada

Boomers and Beyond January-February 2022 Cover Lovely couple taking in the fresh brisk air in Pinafore Park. Photo by Geoff Rae

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Osteoporosis the Silent Disease Bones are a living tissue, and throughout your life, your body breaks down old bone matter and replaces it with new bone matter to keep your body healthy and strong. Problem is, around 30, your body slowly starts reducing the amount of new bone matter it produces. Once you hit your late 40’s and into your 50’s, your body starts producing less new bone matter than it breaks down of your old bone matter, resulting in decreasing bone density. While Osteoporosis can happen at any age, those at highest risk are seniors especially women. People with the below conditions can also be at higher risk: • a family history of osteoporosis • a bone broken after age 50 • surgery to remove their ovaries before their periods stopped • early menopause • insufficient calcium • extended bed rest or physical inactivity • smoking • use of certain drugs, including medicines for asthma or arthritis or some cancer drugs • use of certain medicines for a long time • a small body frame Osteoporosis is known as the silent disease, as there are almost no warning signs that you might have it. However, once you have it, you might start seeing some common signs such as reduced height, slouching posture, back pain and the most common sign, breaking a bone easily.

Preventing Osteoporosis can be as simple as making a few healthy choices in your diet. Increasing your calcium intake is a great way to start. But before you go reaching for a tall glass of ‘moo-juice’, you should know that there are studies that show the countries that consume the highest amount of cow milk actually suffer from the highest cases of Osteoporosis. Perhaps look at some other foods that contain high amounts of calcium such as broccoli, green vegetables, seeds, cheese, and yogurt (from which it can actually be better absorbed by your body than from supplements). Also, have some good sources of protein such as chicken, salmon, eggs, nuts and beef. For women, reducing the amount of caffeine you intake can be an important step, as caffeine may cause a calcium imbalance. Consuming large amounts of caffeine may also cause cortical bone loss from the proximal femur, the leg bone closest to the hip, which increases the risk of a fall and break. Finally, to get twice the benefit from one activity try going for a walk outside and getting some exercise. Getting some sun can help with your Vitamin D levels, which are needed to maintain bone health. Exercise is also known to build a healthy bone structure. If you think you might have, or might be of risk of Osteoporosis, consult your doctor. To help prevent it consider these simple steps!

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T V A W Q B C X B H U Z F K R C M A R V E L A O D I A Q C P R O F E S S O R E H B C S O X A K N M A N A F C D F N S B O Q C W I Z A R D B Z R O L F U M N A U R W A T E R W B A Z L X U C D W U M Z M G A E T D P A A Y R O R A V S J R S F B I X U L X Q N W P W O N D E R F U L Y S T S X I L Q R I J Q D B D H Z S C O S K J W L E T A L E I K D Q M Z N K R G S S U E T K E L D N W Q C T E N E M E R A L D G Z C D H V O V B R C F I Y H Q W U S Y N L L L J Y S O N H K T T A V H K C Q S P X H R F R K M I M A W I Y O M O W O X I P K X C L D O K A C G Z O K C H M X H U O K N R V O E B N L K O G I C Q E N K M C R M U C I A K Y N H D E Q C X Q R G B L K M A Q U W U N V L L B V F A U C I E M B Y O R I E Q N A E L Y K M Q H S W Y B D H X Y R I N Y T Y Y M S K C O B D I M W M W D S O O R R Q I N F E H A U A C T E U C Y J F L X R H Y N S O T Q I K K W Y N S N S Y I E S W B H P S J E U C C B A N I Q Q K C Z B X Y B K Z J D N D I H T N A T J O N Z F C Z H G A L O R Y S W U U W D M D P R W M X P B D A Y K F A U C Q R Y A E O B P N J F E K E Y C X X E Q I D Y F N H P U Z L Z D J W I T C H M J D A S V S N Q Z C D T H C L P B A F M D O R G L I N D A N J N A C U S T I E P U U R K J G X O E D F R C O W A Y O L E O F Y E U U I H I P A M W L K P R I N N K E R

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Cooking 301 is More Than Just a Local Cookbook

The St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre (STEPAC) has released a new cookbook to raise funds for the Centre, but also as an homage to the Women’s Committee, to whom Sherri Howard, Program Director for STEPAC says they owe so much. “It is difficult to articulate the importance of the Women’s Committee because without them, there would not be a Public Art Centre. But it is quite amazing when you think of all they and other groups much like them were able to accomplish. They identified a need in their community, and they set out to meet that need, opening themselves up to new ideas, learning as they went, pushing well beyond their comfort levels, and developing strong, life-long friendships as they did it.” The idea to create Cooking 301 has been in the ‘thought of’ for over 2 years. “When we were beginning to plan for the 50th Anniversary of the Public Art Centre in 2019,” says Sherri, “The idea was based on a desire somehow to honour the many women who not only started the Public Art Centre (then the Art Gallery St. Thomas-Elgin) but contributed so much to its success over fifty years. This group of women was to become the Women’s Committee and they formed as a group before there was even a building site and they set out to make the dream of a public art gallery a reality for St. Thomas and Elgin County. Cooking 301 is a cookbook, and it contains recipes taken from three previous cookbooks produced as fundraisers by the Women’s Committee in 1974, 1982, and 1992. But the spirit of the book is more of a memoir or a scrapbook, a contemporary take on a commonplace book, filled with quotes, anecdotes, observations, images, and photographs – lots of great photographs, thanks to a partnership that the PublicArt Centre formedwith theElginCountyArchives. Then there are the illustrations! Local artist, Julianne Bryans took her inspiration from old photographs and conversations with family members and created delightful illustrations of several of the founding members of the Public Art Centre, whose recipes also appear throughout all the cookbooks. When you say cookbook, people automatically think of recipes, but this is also a very charming and fun book to look at.” Don't get stranded in the snow this winter. Make sure your car is winter ready! Book an appointment at Ron's today.

When it came time to select the recipes that would be included in this edition, Sherri says it took a team. “The recipes are from the previous cookbooks, but they were selected by several people who were very familiar with the recipes (and the women who contributed them to the original cookbooks) and they all shared wonderful stories and memories about recipes, which are also included. Hearing these stories was one of the best parts about putting the cookbook together and it inspired so many other aspects of the finished book, as well as countless conversations outside the Public Art Centre. There are a few exceptions to this. Local chef and caterer, Andrea Renner has also contributed four new, updated recipes, inspired by the originals, and Jeff and Todd Roberts wanted to make sure that their mom, Helen’s butter tart recipe also made it into the book, and they provided the original, in Helen’s handwriting, for reference.”

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Page 10 Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • January 2022

so many struggles and changes, also provided for more time to concentrate on a big project like this. The other reason was a donation that the Farley family made to the Public Art Centre late in 2020, to honour their mom, Lois Farley. Lois Farley had been the central driving force behind starting the Public Art Centre in 1969 and remained at the forefront for decades. The idea of doing a cookbook fundraiser seemed a perfect tribute to Lois and the Women’s Committee and one that she would have gotten behind 100%.” “I do not have a favourite recipe,” Sherri declares, “But I enjoyed trying several of them. Last week I made Betty Parkes’ Secret Chicken Soup. It was fantastic, just like Betty. I see why it was a Parkes family favourite. Ritzy Broccoli Casserole is another recipe that Laurie Shiell told me I should try, and it was a favourite selection of hers. My family loves it! There are several others I will be trying over the holidays too.” Cooking 301 was originally released in November 2021, but sold out almost immediately, so STEPAC has made an additional run which can be found at the Art Centre and are only $25.00 each. The St. Thomas Public Art Centre is located at 301 Talbot St., St Thomas.

“Although the general idea to do the cookbook was formed early in 2019, it was not until the end of 2020 that we saw an opportunity to make this idea a reality,” says Sherri. “One reason was that the pandemic, along with bringing

The Board Members of Christmas Care would like to extend a BIG THANK YOU! to our volunteers, our corporate donors, our public donors, the Goddeeris Family/The Upper Deck, Goldman-Sachs, Steelway Building Systems, local Emergency Services, area places of worship, and area service clubs. A special mention of all the local businesses that gave their time, talent or treasure to help with providing food and toys this year. Happy New Year to everyone from Christmas Care

Board of Directors: Worth Chisholm (President), Adreana Collins (Head of Administration), Liz Casey (Toy Coordinator) and Pat Connor (Food Coordinator).

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • January 2022 Page 11

“The Swift, Uplifting Rush” – definitely not by Bill Denning

This is a line from a poem entitled, “Do Not Stand”. I’m quite partial to it. You may have read it on a memorial card or heard it recited at a funeral or graveside service. What you may not know about is the controversy that surrounds this beautiful elegy. There is a disagreement about the various titles of the poem which include: “I am not there” and “The Hopi Prayer”. Who the author is continues to be as hotly disputed as which culture it best reflects. Before social media, I wouldn’t have thought anyone would spend even a moment hypothesizing over such a topic, but one Google search and I was in a world of self-appointed literary scholars. Why would anyone (other than the actual author) want to debate such trivial aspects of this healing poem? Why not just appreciate it and share its goodness with others? Sometimes it’s like that when someone dies. Small things can inspire big emotions and some bad reactions. I’ve seen people destroy relationships over something as pointless as who gets the deceased’s dentures. Perhaps when we lose someone important to us, we feel like we are losing control, and by grasping at little things, we feel again like masters of our own universe. But is the stuff being grabbed at worth the reach? Calling all knitters

Do not stand By my grave, and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep —

I am the thousand winds that blow I am the diamond glints in snow I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle, autumn rain. As you awake with morning’s hush, I am the swift, up-lifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight, I am the day transcending night. Do not stand By my grave, and cry — I am not there, I did not die.

by: I dare not say

It’s in times of sadness and frustration that it’s important to appreciate the beauty of the poem, not argue about who wrote it. So maybe, whether it’s a nice poem or a person we love, we should just appreciate the impact, the lessons, and enjoy the swift uplifting rush that the joy of a good thing can give us.

The weather is starting to turn and it is cold outside. Please knit some extra mittens, hats, scarves etc. for those in need. There are many places and people who could use them. If you would like me to pick up your knitting, give me a call at 519-495-7177 or email [email protected] and I'll be happy to arrange a pickup and drop them off to those in our community who could use a little warmth this season!

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Card Games!

2 Likely played with your grandkids, got any 5s 3 A meld comprising seven or more cards, including at least four natural cards is called this 4 A facecard and an Ace will have me yelling 5 A type of poker where some cards are down, some face up 6 Pass, bid, double or redouble in this building game 8 in this strange named game you can meld 10 Had to be banned from some work computers 12 Crazy game imilar to Uno, just don’t get the Q of Spades played on you

A cross 2 A card game played in old west saloons 3 This card game has a board 5 Yell this when you see your card is the same as the person next to you 7 A type of poker where you are dealt 5 cards 9 Hi-Low, is played in the Windy City 11 Poker in Texas 14 A game to play with a partner, or you can go alone 15 In this game the Q of Spades gives you 13 points 17 Every 5th round no trump in this game 18 In this game the Kings go in the ______ Down 1 Kenny Rogers favourite game

13 Poker hand where you start with 9 cards down 16 Best enjoyed with a glass of gin 17 This card game is a real battle

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • January 2022 Page 13

The BoyWho Never GrewUp by Terry Carroll

information. Before the 1995 to 2001 tech bubble burst, wiping out some $5 trillion in value, it was amazing how many ordinary people in St. Thomas would say, “I’ve got my money out there working for me.” Back in the day, Kaleidoscope, the West Elgin District High School yearbook, carried a commemoration of Frank McLarty, 1949 – 1963. “Sadly missed by his classmates of 9A, of which he was an honours graduate.” He and his family lived a couple of miles from our farm. Frank was fourteen, and I was twelve the summer he died. While many things about agriculture at that time were as pastoral and charming as the term “farming” suggests, kids from mixed farms also lived in the valley of the shadow of death. Young hands could be soaked in the blood of beheaded chickens. Occasionally, slaughter came to a steer which ended up on the dining room table on Sunday. Runty pigs or sick livestock were euthanized while preschoolers looked on. Certain members from previous generations of farmers gained mythological status after dying early in farm accidents or war. Even people who lived to ripe old ages passed away, subjecting children to boring visitations at funeral homes. It was all just natural. And none of it prepared my twelve-year-old brain for the death of a fourteen-year-old whom I had seen with his family at the Presbyterian Church the previous Sunday. I don’t recall a “Why does God do bad things to good people?” moment. But I do remember thinking about Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from his deathbed. I prayed to God, in a bargaining way, for a 1963 resurrection for Frank: “God, if only you will raise Frank from the dead, I will never again let my attention wander during the long prayer at church.” Alas, I was also worried that Frank’s death would end that week’s regular ball game in McLarty’s pasture. As it turned out, God wasn’t in a mood to negotiate as He had with people like Abraham and Moses and Job in the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible. Frank did not arise from his coffin at Padfield Funeral Home in West Lorne, and the weekly ballgame was cancelled. The miracle turned out to be lodging Frank McLarty in my unconscious mind and resurrecting him almost 60 years later in a dream. St. Thomas’ Most Beautiful Cemetery

In late November, Frank McClarty, as slim and pale as his childhood siblings, arrived in a dream to solve for me some problem that didn’t exist in daylight. In sleep-land, he appeared as a young adult. In real life, he never had that opportunity. He

oomers oomers B and E YOND B Geoffrey Rae Managing Editor / Sales [email protected] 519-495-7177 Copy Editor Peter Bloch-Hansen Publisher Barb Botten [email protected] Graphic Artist – Cathy Wood Photos, community events and article suggestions welcome. Please email [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you. It’s hard to understand why so many people believed that something traveling at the speed of lightning could be attracted to a metal object the size of a lightning rod. At the same time, you’ll never go wrong overestimating what we humans will believe, based on commonly accepted was ploughing on a small farm in what is now West Elgin when he was struck by lightning. Neighbouring farmers said it was a shame the plough was in the ground when the bolt hurtled down from the darkened heavens. The implication was that if Frank had raised the plough, the tractor’s rubber tires would have saved him from certain death. At that time, it was taken for granted that lightning was attracted to metal objects, trees and water. A small industry had grown up around the assembly and sale of lightning rods for rural buildings including barns. When concrete silos were built, several were topped with lightning rods; braided metal cords trailed earthward, where a lightning strike could theoretically be grounded out.

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BADDA BOOM! by Frances Kennedy

kids got a time-tested playbook for navigating life’s peace-making puzzles, struggles, and inescapable surprises. That’s no small feat, and a worthy legacy. Anticipating 2022 after the year that was 2021, has veered from inconsolable despair to inexplicable enthusiasm and back again until we become cautiously optimistic. Having struck that sweet spot may I say (with belief in my convictions and hope in my predictions) let’s chalk up an epic year! As Albert Einstein once opined: “When we change the way we look at things the things we look at change.” Badda Bing!

We are officially on the other side of 2021 but clearly, not nearly clear of its shadow. We could wait until February 2 and see what Wiarton Willie, Canada’s foremost weather prognosticator, predicts. But the fact is, although the weather is relevant to

the vagaries of the variant viruses, and this latest surge is highly transmissible; the extent of its conquest is entirely upon whether or not we choose how best to weather the winter ahead. Pandemic fatigue is a thing and may well end up in the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders some day sooner than later. It is evident everywhere and manifests itself widely in wildly divergent over-reactions that going viral, are as dangerous as any emerging or surging variant virus. Discord, distrust and uncertainty have left us spent, or pent-up or hellbent for busting loose… breathe deep, and slow down. Polarity and divisiveness mute our energy levels and there’s better than anecdotal evidence that the altitude of one’s attitude co-relates with levels of immunity and emotional well-being.

JEFF YUREK, MPP Elgin-Middlesex-London Here
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[email protected] JEFF YUREK, MPP Elgin-Middlesex-London Here
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Whether, or not the holidays were a delight, or harrowing plight that blighted the bright lights of your hopefulness; it’s all behind us. What matters now is today, tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that. If the greatest benefit of being by yourself is the opportunity to be yourself, this is a chance to take and make the best of our separateness. When we embrace our solitude and read, write, draw, dream, and (for heaven’s sake) journal your journey through one of the epic disruptions in human history, we are increasing our fortitude and resilience. Courage is not necessarily a leap of faith. More often it’s stepping up with gratitude for the gift of being alive right here, right now. Consider that The Diary of Anne Frank is a chronicle of daily life lived by a young Jewish girl hidden in an attic with two families in Nazi- occupied Holland. It’s a must read if you haven’t already. Anticipating a new year has always inspired optimism and resolve; my great late father made his children abundantly aware that besting ourselves was the best strategy for the best year yet. He would antagonize and tantalize my mother with the possibilities of his “New Year’s Resolution’ until the year he said he no longer needed one because he was “damn near perfect.” (If you’re going to blow up your life, do it with or without wit but don’t do it unwittingly.) Nevertheless, his life was living proof that personal challenges make life meaningful, and six

J

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • January 2022 Page 15

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