Boomers March 2022

Boomers March 2022

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Celebrating the 55+ Community of Elgin County March 2022 • Issue 29

Another Season’s Promise …

Discover The World’s Best Walk-In Tub Fully Installed Fully Installed ll I ll Fully Installed The season ahead of us is an exciting one! We welcome Rick Kish and his Crooner show back to our stage, and we anticipate with excitement Gabi Epstein’s tribute to the iconic music of Barbra Streisand; there is brand new work from Norm Foster, Murray Furrow, and Jamie Williams as we continue our commitment to new Canadian stories, and our season closes off with Bonnie Green’s delightful new comedy, Meet my Sister. All in all, we are thrilled to be back. To be sure, there will be some protocols still in place as we move forward, and we’ll be sure to let everyone know what they entail as we get closer to opening night, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still occasionally scanning the horizon for those possible storm clouds … but I think it’s fair to say, as the snow disappears, as the days lengthen, and as new shoots search for sunlight, that, along with all of you, we happily welcome another season’s promise. Fully Installed a relief! As things have started to look a little more positive and restrictions are gradually lifting, the phones have started ringing with a greater degree of regularity, and our planning process for a full summer season is well underway. Directors and designers for all four in-house productions are in the process of finalizing set designs; we are in the middle of recruiting and hiring the production team, and marketing plans are ready to launch in earnest as we move through March and into spring proper. Casting for the season is complete as we get ready to welcome a talented group of artists to Port … some are audience favourites who have graced our stage in the past, and some are new faces looking forward to experiencing what a Port Stanley summer season has to offer.

by Simon Joynes, Port Stanley Festival Theatre Artistic Director Growing up in rural Halton County, I remember a neighbouring farmer. He was called Mr. Austin (no idea what his first name was – I don’t think anyone knew … maybe his wife, but I wouldn’t count on it … her name, I recall was

Mrs. Austin). He was weathered, wrinkly, squinted a lot, spoke seldom, and was unspeakably old … he was probably 45 or so, but what did I know; I was a kid? As is sometimes the case with farmers, living as they do with the vagaries of nature and commoditymarket prices, Mr. Austin did not have a particularly sunny outlook on life. When he could be coaxed into some brief utterance, it was often to present the opinion that life was a series of calamities that could only be survived if they were somehow grimly anticipated, and that enjoying oneself, even for a moment, invited disaster. In fact, the only time when Mr. Austin stopped surveying the horizon for gathering storm clouds, the only time when a glint appeared in his eye, and an unfamiliar smile tugged unwillingly at his pursed lips … was springtime. Even Mr. Austin could not resist Spring, and the possibilities of another season’s promise. Here at the theatre, like Mr. Austin, we are allowing a tentative smile to cross our collective faces. We launched our season just before Christmas and while sales have not been overwhelming as yet, there is lots of interest, which is

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Seniors Centre Ready to Welcome You Back!

The people of St. Thomas have an amazing resource, the St. Thomas Seniors’ Centre. It is a wonderful place for seniors from across the area to gather and meet new friends, play cards, learn crafts, get some exercise, and most importantly, have fun. “We are excited to be back,” says Angela Ostojic, now the Senior Centre Manager. “Things have been great. Quite a few people have returned to the Center. The beginning of the pandemic was a bit slower but since just before Christmas, we’ve really seen the numbers increase. We’re already back up to our numbers before Christmas, which is great.” Angela explains that while some people are still hesitant to be out in public, those who have been coming have expressed how much they have missed it. While the centre is still restricted to 50% capacity at the time of this interview, Angela is happy to report that most of the programs and activities have returned, and they have some exciting new ones to offer. “A lot of our fitness and card programs, and snooker, darts, and crafts are all back. We’ve added some newer programs through a grant from the Province of Ontario government to run some new music programs which is something we haven’t had in the Center. We’re working with Studio Arts, School of Rock on a new ukulele program for beginners. We’re also starting with a drumming circle a couple times a week. The interest has been great. We’ve actually purchased more than what we originally planned, because the interest has been so high.” These music programs are aimed at beginners but they are not the only new arts programs. “We’ve also started a painting on canvas program, for which again, the supplies were funded through that grant – big interest in that one as well. Local artist, Rick Hodges teaches one of our regular classes. He’s great; they love them.” The centre has also added yet more new classes. “We’ve got some new exercise classes as well, trying to make sure there’s something for everybody,” says Angela. “We’ve started a new chair exercise class with one of our instructors, who also teaches our drum fit.” For those looking to keep their minds fit, the centre has also created a second book club. “We’ve been working with the library;

they’ve been helping us get our book club started.” The library supplies the centre with a list of available titles. The group then chooses a title they want to work with. “The first book they read was Radium Girls, which was a difficult read for some, I think, but they love their book club and it’s really brought people together.” One of the centre’s biggest roles is to bring people together. The power of bringing people together is so important that there is a new Ontario-wide program called Links2Wellbeing, a partnership between the Alliance for Healthier Communities and the Older Adults Centres’ Association of Ontario. The idea is that family physicians, nurse practitioners and other allied health providers will write their patients a prescription to join their local senior’s centre. Before you go rushing to your doctor, this prescription is symbolic (and will not allow you to get health coverage to cover your membership fees) but it shows the health benefits of being social and active for seniors. While the centre is not at full operating capacity, they are open and welcoming back old and new friends alike. If you have never been, or if it has been awhile, make sure you take a tour of the St. Thomas Seniors’ Centre and see all the great activities they have waiting for you! Angela Ostojic and Angela Walker-Davis of the Seniors Centre are excited to welcome everyone to the St. Thomas Seniors Centre

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • March 2022 Page 3

Volunteer of the Month Sponsored By Royal Oak Senior Living

St. Thomas native, Sandi Pyper has been a volunteer at the YMCA for 5 years. As a yoga instructor, Sandi loves to interact with her students. “Once we retired, I decided to volunteer to be able to continue teaching yoga and to be able to use the other facilities the YMCA provides. One of the perks of volunteering is a free membership. The thing I love most about volunteering at the YMCA is the amazing members I get to teach – their enthusiasm, their desire to continue every day towards health and vitality. Some of the members have been attending for many years and I often tell them I want to be just like them when I grow up (I’m 67).” Sandi moved to Toronto to attend college, moving back in 1990 with her husband John and two children. Before retiring, Sandi was a chef. “My work life began at Valleyview,” she says. “Then I went on for years to create and run a catering company called Sandpiper Catering. Finally, until my retirement, I settled into dietary supervision at Metcalfe Gardens.” Volunteering has always played an important part in Sandi’s life. “I began volunteering very young and have continued throughout my life. As a family, we feel strongly about sharing our gifts and our time.” Sandi has been a board member on the Women’s Day Committee; worked with YWCA with their Bridges Out of Poverty program and was a board member of the Elgin Hiking Club, where she is still a member. In 2013, Sandi put some kilometres on her shoes when she walked all around Elgin County (326 kms.) to raise awareness for the Pearce Williams Capital Campaign. Walking and hiking are some of Sandi’s favourite past times, as well as kayaking or spending time outdoors at her cabin. Sandi went on a Camino Santiago pilgrimage for a month in Spain, and then again in Portugal. But, she says, “My favourite time is spent with my four grandchildren. It keeps me feeling young at heart.” “I absolutely think volunteering is important, to give back to the community that works so hard to provide services. I feel you receive as much as you put into it. I feel so

much joy from witnessing our group at the YMCA. They care about each other, check in on each other, support one another and create lifelong friendships. They are an extended family. I learn so many things from them: recipes, grandmother education, new books to read, how I would like to age, how to thrive; it enriches my life. I feel connected to something bigger; it may be for only an hour a week but I reap the benefits every minute in between. I look forward to seeing them and sharing our time together on our mats.”

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For the Love of Radio When it comes to local news here in St. Thomas/Elgin, the first name that comes up for many is Ian McCallum who has been covering and breaking stories here for decades. Ian’s voice can be heard daily as a news anchor and reporter for St. Thomas’ 94.1 myFM. Ian had always had a love for radio, even has a child. “I had an eight-transistor radio, which way back then was pretty high tech. I used to put it under my pillow and listen to late night radio without my parents knowing. I guess that’s where the passion for radio really came from.” Ian’s love for both news and radio has seen him work throughout the GTA and Southwestern Ontario, starting with his first gig on his college radio station. “When I was at York,” recalls Ian, “A friend of mine who worked in NEWS there invited me to come and see the campus station. I spent the next three years at York, doing a NEWS shift, like he was doing.” After University, Ian left his radio days behind him. “I actually got a job in New Market in urban planning for the Regional Municipality of York. One of my assignments was to go to the radio station in Richmond Hill, CFGM. I was asked to do a work pattern of the employees -- where they were coming from; their travel patterns. I spent several days working on that with the staff there and got talking to management and they actually offered me a job. Back then, this was how you got your start in radio. I was working the all night show as an operator and that was the

end of my Urban Planning career. I pivoted back over to radio and never looked back.” Ian’s career has been a long ‘heading away’ from the GTA, with stops along the way, including at Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Hamilton, and then London where he worked at BX93. “When I was there, I was approached by The St. Thomas Times Journal to work for them,” remembers Ian, who spent over a decade with our local paper until, like many in print media, he was downsized. “I then got a call from Easy 101in Tillsonburg.” Ian spent two years in Tillsonburg before the local station was purchased by Rogers and Ian was once again on the move. “Samantha Wakefield here at myFM called me just before Christmas, 2019 and said, ‘Hey, come on, and work here’. So, I guess I’ve be trying to retire for the last eight or nine years, but it just never seems to work out.” With so many media companies offering buy-outs, early retirements or just downsizing, a lot of journalistic experience is disappearing, and Ian is happy to bring some of his experience and insights to the next generation. “That was part of the discussion when I was approached by myFM. The myFM chain in Southern and in Eastern Ontario is fairly young, especially in the NEWS department. So it was a matter of bringing some experience locally here in St. Thomas.” Ian loves working with his local NEWS counterpart, Kennedy Freeman: “Just being able to offer insight and some experience, especially in NEWS where you never know from day to day what’s going to crop up -- maybe to find a news angle that other people may not have seen and so get a little different perspective on a news story. I think one of the things that I could bring to the table here was that work experience, helping out the staff right across the chain, not only with presenting NEWS, but perhaps with how to approach and write a story.” Since 2010, back when Ian was working with the Times Journal, Ian has also been an active blog writer with his CityScope (www.ianscityscope) which gives him an opportunity to keep his passion for writing more in-depth news coverage. “When I was as City Hall Correspondent at the Times Journal, I used to publish a Saturday column. Mark Butterwick, the city editor at that time, approached me and said, ‘Why don’t you delve deeper with a weekly roundup of the comings and goings at city hall? It doesn’t have to be so much news-oriented; maybe make it an opinion piece -- you know, bring things a little closer to the readers as to what’s going on in the city’. Then, as that started to grow and kind of went beyond the amount of written space given for each Saturday, I took it online and expanded it and it just kept going. When I first started, I thought, in two or three years maybe people will lose interest or there won’t be anything left to write about. As it turns out, it just evolved into an entity of its own. These days it’s strictly online.”

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Even as a purely online resource, Ian has people reaching out to him. “Many times, in many cases anonymously, people come, saying you need to look into this, or can you check into this story for us? Or why is this happening? There have been times where I would come home at night and, stuffed in my mailbox would be packages with confidential material, documents or one thing or another that people had stuck in there, hoping that I would run with it. I’m so impressed with the individuals who risk their livelihoods to expose something they felt was important, that the general population needed to know. So this is what’s kept it going, and I’m really appreciative of the fact that they’ve trusted me and what I’ve done, and trusted the fact that I will respect

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From left, Walt Grealis, founder of music industry magazine RPM; Ian McCallum, program director BX-93 London; Warren Cosford, general manager BX93/CJBK; Michael ‘Dee’ Graham, BX-93 morning announcer and singer/songwriter. Photo taken in the early 1990s.

their confidentiality and run with the story and hopefully, get a good resolution for them. It has happened over the years, where changes have been made or things have been put into place to help resolve whatever the situation was. I look forward to writing it every week and it has branched out from beyond City Hall to many issues that we now face, including mental health, homelessness, and things like that.” When Ian isn’t working on NEWS stories, he is helping kids learn to play and hopefully, love the sport of soccer. “I

get a lot of enjoyment out of working with the St. Thomas Soccer Club, coaching young players. That’s something I’ve done for quite some time. Last year, I coached the youth 11 Boys travel team. For the five years previous to that I was actually a soccer referee. I thought then, I’ll go and look at things from that side of the fence for five years and I’ll take the abuse. So I refereed for five years. Last year was my first year back to coaching again.” Ian credits his passion for soccer to his birthplace. “I was born in the UK, in Scotland and one of my relatives actually has spent a good part of her life working for one of the English League Premier teams, Leeds United. She has worked at their academy where the young players go. I think it goes way back to just being from the UK and having someone involved at a higher level with one of the Premier League clubs. But I’ve always loved to play; I played when I was in school -- it’s just stuck with me. They call it the beautiful game though at times, for outsiders, it may look a little tedious. It’s not fast-paced like hockey, but it’s more a thinking game, which I’ve always enjoyed. That’s why I got involved with the St. Thomas Soccer Club at the coaching level and stuck with that for quite some time.” Has Ian any plans to hang up the microphone? “I guess I’ve tried that a few times. It just doesn’t seem to work out. One thing I was always taught, especially in radio, is that you can’t lose that curiosity. You always have to ask, why is that? Why is that the way it is? Why did they do that? Or find out what’s the backstory to that. The other philosophy I’ve always had is that everybody, I don’t care who they are, everybody has a story. It’s finding that story and it’s delving into it. Some of the best things I’ve written about in City Scope have been individuals’ stories. They may not have thought them to be that important, but once you get in there, they really reveal quite a human side to them. I think if you lose that curiosity, then it’s time to turn the mic off, and I haven’t lost that curiosity.”

Calling all knitters

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!

Together we can bring the warmth of the season to our fellow people! oomers B and

E YOND B Hometown St. Thomas

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Page 8 Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • March 2022

Shared Hopes, Shared Living for Senior Women

With Inflation on the rise, the cost of living is getting higher and higher. One basic need though, seems to have grown even higher than the price of food or gas and that is housing. If you are a single senior living on a fixed income, the cost of housing has grown so much that many are beginning to wonder if they will be able to keep a roof over their head. With this concern very much in mind, a new Canadian non-profit has been created, called Senior Women Living Together (SWLT). We spoke with SWLT founder, Pat Dunn on why she created this group and the impact it is having. “My husband had died about four years previously, and I was unable to find anywhere affordable to live. Ultimately, four years after he died, I was homeless. All my savings were gone; I was $20,000 in debt, just trying to keep a roof over my head. I was a registered nurse; I went back to university in my 40’s and got a degree; I am well educated. I had two jobs. I took care of my money. The problem is, it is practically impossible today to live without two incomes in Canada.” “Desperate, I was couch surfing with my sister in BC. She was gracious enough to let me stay there while I was trying to save some money to get out of debt. Sitting there one day, I thought, well, maybe I could live in my car, and save money that way and get out of this debt. That was probably one of the lowest points of my life and to this day, it makes me feel ashamed. That night, after looking up how to live in my car on the internet, I realized I didn’t feel any hope that I’d ever get out of debt. I thought, ‘there’s got to be something better,’ so I began to wonder if there are women like me, though at that time, my thought was that probably, there are not a lot of us. But if there were women in the same or a similar situation, perhaps we could live together. I created a facebook group and invited women to join me. I thought I’d get maybe 10 members in total. I had 50 members at the end of the first week, 200 by the end of the first month and now there’re over 2,600 [Ontario wide].”

The goal of SWLT is to give senior women a forum to meet other women in their area who are also looking for a shared living space. “Our main process,” says Pat, “Is for women to come together, get to know each other. We offer a kind of compatibility checklist to help women determine matches for themselves. They’re doing all this by their own choice; we don’t match anybody.” Senior Women Living Together is now a registered charity, with Pat on the board. Together, they are working to help women avoid the struggles Pat went through. If you are a senior woman and are looking to bring your housing costs under control, check out www.swlt.ca to find other senior women in your area.

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • March 2022 Page 9

Jeff Yurek Stepping Away, But Not Leaving

In an announcement that came as a surprise to some on January 7th, our Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), Jeff Yurek announced his decision to step away from public service effective the end of February, 2022. Jeff was first elected back in 2011 as a member of the opposition party, and while in opposition he served as PC Health Critic, Natural Resources and Forestry Critic, and Transportation and Auto Insurance Reform Critic. In 2018, Jeff was elected as part of a majority government and served as Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Minister of Transportation, and most recently, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. I asked Jeff what got him into politics in the first place. “Back eleven years ago,” says Jeff, “I had been dealing with government changes in my pharmacy profession, and it got me kind of engaged in local politics. I've always been interested in being a politician, at least since I was eight or nine years old. The opportunity arose; I put my name forward to try to win a seat here. And that's what I did. My goal at the time was to make the community a better place, but at the same time to ensure the governing party at the time was removed from office.” “When I entered politics over ten years ago, I made three promises to myself: represent the people of Elgin- Middlesex-London to my fullest ability; remain authentic and true to my values and beliefs, and recognize when it is the right time to step down,” Jeff said in his January 7th announcement.

With each subsequent re-election (2014, 2018), Jeff’s support seemed to grow within the community, I asked him why he believed his community rallied around him. “I think it was my focus. You know, you can either be Riding politician or a Party politician. My focus was always on the riding. The people here, no matter what their convictions, I stood up and represented as best as possible; I tried to take care of everyone in our community and see that we are at the forefront of all conversations. I think people developed a trust in the way I operated. I'm very thankful they gave me the opportunity to represent them for ten years.” Locally, some highlights for Jeff include the recent announce-ment of securing an MRI facility for STEGH, the new Hospice for Elgin, and new homeless shelters for St. Thomas. Jeff also played a part in securing the funding for the new school in Belmont, while also saving two rural schools from being closed. He also halted the construction in Dutton-Dunwich of wind turbines. But after ten years the work Jeff is most proud of his Private Members Bill. “I am most proud of the work I did in opposition with Sandra Gibbons in the passage of Ryan’s Law, ensuring the safety of children with asthma throughout our entire school system. I’m very proud of that work with Sandra, given that it really shows how a grassroots idea filters its way up to become a law; that’s how government should operate.” Of course we could not talk about his time in office without addressing the past two years with the Pandemic, and how it affected his role. “It’s been a stressful two years. This pandemic, it’s been the focal point, I think of every level of What have you been missing? • 16 Years of Experience • Try the latest technology before you buy

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Page 10 Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • March 2022

IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE Finally, Jeff would like to say this to all of his constituents and those who supported him: “My time in public life has been productive and there are many people to whom I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude. Without your encouragement and counsel, the results may not have been as worthwhile for our community and province. I must extend a heartfelt appreciation to my wife, daughter, and family for their love, support and candour over these past years. You have kept me grounded and focused and were my source of strength. To my team in the constituency office: your devotion and enthusiasm for helping those in need of our assistance has been exemplary and a standard by which future constituency offices ought to be measured. To the constituents of Elgin-Middlesex-London: you provided me with a rare opportunity to fulfil an idealistic dream of making our community a better place and I am honoured and grateful to have served you. Your unwavering confidence and trust is appreciated and will be remembered. I wish you all much health and happiness.” IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE MONEY SAVER MAGAZINE - ONTARIO 2021 Publication Schedule ISSUE MONTH IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE ISSUE MONTH IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE MONEY SAVER MAGAZINE - ONTARIO 2021 Publication Schedule ISSUE MONTH IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE ISSUE MONTH Springwater, and just enjoy and just relax for the day. Then just kind of think of what’s gone on over the last ten years and be thankful that I had the opportunity to serve as a Member of Provincial Parliament. What’s next? I haven’t figured it out totally. I’m still a pharmacist, will probably still work as a pharmacist, but you know, I’ll take a look of what’s available for me; I have full intention of staying in our community and being an active participant in supporting our community moving forward.”

PROOF DATE: June 10, 2021

PROOF #: TROSUN-0621-JUL-L N-BC-03

IN-HOMES WEEK ART

FILE NAME: TROSUN-0621-JUL-LON-BC-03 AD SIZE: Back Cover (7.375”w x 10.75”h)

MONEY SAVER MAGAZINE - ONTARIO 2021 Publication Schedule ISSUE MONTH IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE ISSUE MONTH MONEY SAVER MAGAZINE - ONTARIO 2021 Publication Schedule ISSUE MONTH IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE ISSUE MONTH ISSUE: 06 IN H MES WEEK OF: 5-Jul ARTWORK DEADLINE: 18-Jun

OF DATE: June 10, 2021 OF #: N-BC-03

NAME: TROSUN-0621-JUL-LON-BC-03 ZE: Back Cover (7.375”w x 10.75”h) P OF DATE: June 10, 2021 PROOF #: 0621-JUL-L N-BC-03

: 06 OMES WEEK OF: 5-Jul WORK DEADLINE: 18-Jun government and it’s been an ongoing challenge to ensure that information is provided to people and that supports and services are there. I’ve worked with my office here to try to ensure that people are getting timely information and the access to services they need. Also, at the same time, making sure the voices of people in our riding are heard in Toronto when decisions are to be made.” FILE NAME: TROSUN-0621-JUL-LON-BC-03 AD SIZE: Back Cover (7.375”w x 10.75”h) ISSUE: 06 IN HOMES WEEK OF: 5-Jul ARTWORK DEADLINE: 18-Jun PROOF #: TROSUN-0621-JUL-L N-BC-03

PROOF DATE: June 10, 2021

IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE

FILE NAME: TROSUN-0621-JUL-LON-BC-03 AD SIZE: Back Cover (7.375”w x 10.75”h)

ISSUE: 06 IN HOMES WEEK OF: 5-Jul ARTWORK DEADLINE: 18-Jun MONEY SAVER MAGAZINE - ONTARIO 2021 Publication Schedule ISSUE MONTH IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE ISSUE MONTH

AY-LON-FC-01 w x 5.375”h)

So why step down now, rather then wait until his term ends? “This,” Jeff explains, “is because when the MPPs head back in March or April, it is to focus on the next election. I figured that’s the best time to step to the side, and let them focus on the next campaign, which I wouldn’t be a part of.” What is next for Jeff; what is he going to do with his first day off in ten years? “Probably go for a walk in

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MONEY SAVER MAGAZINE - ONTARIO 2021 Publication Schedule ISSUE MONTH IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE ISSUE MONTH VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART SHOWROOM! IN-HOMES WEEK ART DUE DATE

PROOF DATE: April 26, 2021

PROOF #: SUN-0421-MAY-L N-FC-01

FILE NAME: TROSUN-0421-MAY-LON-FC-01 AD SIZE: Front Cover (6.875”w x 5.375”h)

ISSUE: 04 IN HOMES WEEK OF: 3-MAY ARTWORK DEADLINE: 16-APR

TEMPLATE UPDATED: APriL 26, 2021

T ROS UN - 0 6 21 - J U L - LON - B C - 0 3

T ROS UN - 0 6 21 - J U L - LON - B C - 0 3

T ROS UN - 0 6 21 - J U L - LON - B C - 0 3

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • March 2022 Page 11 See for yourself why everyone loves a sunroom: For only a few dollars a day we can create a space that implores your senses to re-adjust, demands your heart rate to slow and adds a smile to your face. It’s a space perfect for me-time. A space you won’t ever want to live without. Let us build your new favourite room! www.tropicalsunrooms.com London (Lambeth) 2490 Main St., 226-777-8048 Kitchener 1486 Victoria St. N 519-742-3525 or no charge dial 1-800-265-2184 All Season or 3-Season Enclosures Custom designed to fit your home - no standard sizes. Top quality products & Limited Lifetime Warranty See for yourself why everyone loves a sunroom: For only a few dollars a day we can create a space that implores your senses to re-adjust, demands your heart rate to slow and adds a smile to your face. It’s a space perfect for me-time. A space you won’t ever want to live with ut. Let us build your new favourite room! www.tropicalsunro ms.com London THE SPECIALISTS SINCE 1988

To advertise here contact [email protected] See for yourself why everyone loves a sunroom: For only a few dollars a day we can create a space that implores your senses to re-adjust, demands your heart rate to slow and adds a smile to your face. It’s a space perfect for me-time. A space you won’t ever want to live without. Let us build your new favourite room! www.tropicalsunrooms.com London (Lambeth) 2490 Main St., 226-777-8048 GREEN keyline represents text safety MAGENTA keyline represents trim DIRECT RESPONSE MEDIA GROUP 2285 Wyecroft Road Oakville, ON L6L 5L7 Canada (905) 465-1233 | 1 (866) 993-0600 [email protected] | drmg.com DIRECT RESPONSE MEDIA GROUP 1 (866) 993-0600 • drmg.ca Thank you for using DRMG to promote your business. Any correction to the ad must be requested by the customer within 48 Hours of receiving this approval request in order to meet the closing dates, which vary from one issue to another. PLEASE NOTE: YOUR AD WILL RUN “AS IS” UNLESS CHANGES ARE MADE TO THIS PROOF,

Everyone Needs a Healthy Meal by Alyssa Heil, VON Elgin Community Services Coordinator During the month of March, we want to highlight one of our most popular and important programs at VON Elgin – Meals on Wheels. We know that grocery shopping and cooking can be challenging for many seniors and for those with disabilities. The pandemic has amplified all challenges by adding a layer of difficulty in safely shopping or for visiting loved ones helping with meal preparation. Our Meals on Wheels program allows many of our community members to have access to healthy and affordable meals and so promotes independent living. Our Meals on Wheels program offers both hot and frozen options delivered by our amazing and invaluable volunteers at no additional cost, throughout Elgin County. Having access to these healthy meals improves the health outcomes for isolated seniors and individuals with disabilities. We take Safety Seriously. Built into every meal delivery is a security check, in which our volunteers are the eyes & ears for these at- risk community members. If a Meals on Wheels recipient does not answer the door, we always follow up with the client or family members to ensure that they are safe. If we are unable to reach the client or a family member, we connect with St. Thomas Police who are able to complete a wellness check. This is such a relief to many caregivers and clients. Our Volunteers are Amazing. At VON we are so fortunate to have volunteers who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure our clients continue to get the food they rely on. Our volunteers are extremely helpful and have adapted to ensure the safety of our clients, while remaining dedicated to serving. Our VON volunteers have been trained to use personal protective equipment and deliver meals in a “no contact” fashion or with as little contact as possible. VON is always looking for more volunteers to assist with all of our programs. We would love to hear from you!

If you would like to register for Meals on Wheels or as a volunteer, please contact 519-637-6408.

Boomers and Beyond March 2022 Cover Reconnaissance by Andrés Villar at the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre. His exhibition is on now until March 26th. Photo by Geoff Rae

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Page 12 Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • March 2022

Great Hockey Players

Across 3 Pavel Bure was known as the Russian this 6 His hatrick is a fight, an assist and a penalty 7 Known as Tuggy he was goalie for 8 teams, Ron 11 Hockey player and Donut Mogul 12 London Legend, Eric 14 Cournoyer was known as this, meep meep 15 Leafs great goalie, Johnny 16 Alex the great is going after Gretzky’s record 18 #4 Bobby ____ 20 Boom Boom played for the Habs 22 Former Leafs captain with record 10 points in a game

25 Super Mario 26 Would salute after scoring a goal Down 1 On the Habs famous Punch Line, Toe 2 Standing tall in the Habs net in the 70s 3 Brothers Maurice and Henri 4 Brothers Tony and Phil 5 Legendary Detroit captain of the 80s and 90s 8 Hometown St. Thomas hero, Jumbo Joe 9 Bruins Great Defenceman Ray

10 The leader of the Broad Street Bullies 11 All time great Sabres goalie 13 You better clear the track for Eddie 15 Devils all time great goalie 17 Father and Son, Bobby and Brett 19 Gretzky’s #2, known as the Moose 20 The Great One 21 Backstop for the 80’s Oilers 23 The Flower 24 Before he was the Habs GM he was a Forward)

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Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • March 2022 Page 13