Special Features - Cowichan Good Life

2 Cowichan Good Life Magazine Cowichan News Leader Pictorial March 2012

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial March 2012 Cowichan Good Life Magazine 3

good life insidea place for the eldersa home for helping each other p4

selling the family homeit doesn’t have to be hard p8

who’s the Bossi?soccer keeps him young p10

the 65-year-old questionold-age security changes cause concern p13

helping your elderly hoarderhow to recognize it — and deal with it p16

it’s the dirt that mattersten things you didn’t know about valley wine p20

boning up on bone healthosteoporosis and CDH p26

never to old to singmusic festival’s not just for the kids p28

tattoo youboomers are getting inked p30

seniors resource directorycowichan seniors community foundation p33

a voice for the agingMP jean crowder speaks out for seniors p36

you’ve got to taste thisdon bodger stirs it up p38

on a brighter notewith lori welbourne p39

helping your elderly hoarder p16

a voice for the aging p36

Welcome to the Good Life — your local guide to the second half of living.You are the Baby Boomers of the Warm Land.Your kids are gone, or at least are in the process of leaving the nest. Your goals have shifted, or are shifting. Your body doesn’t necessarily work the way it once did.And life has served up a whole new set of challenges and opportunities.These stories are for you.

A guide to your best years in Cowichan

Published by the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, Unit 2, 5380 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan B.C., V9L 6W4

Phone: (250) 746-4471 Fax: (250) 746-8529 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.cowichannewsleader.com

Produced by: The Cowichan News Leader PictorialEditor: John McKinley Publisher: Bill Macadam

Designer: Eric Morten

See page 33 for your Seniors Resource Directory

Spring 2012Wednesday, March 16, 2012


by Ann Andersen They’ll be in brand-new apartments on their own land in a supported new life close to friends and family; with plenty of cultural supports.These are some of the benefits the first 50 to 60 residents can look forward to later this year when they step over the threshold of Ts’i’ts’iwatul’ Lelum assisted living residence now under construction on the old Mound.“It’s been seven years since we set the vision,” says elder Philomena Alphonse, who has applied to be one of the first residents.“I was still on (Tribes) council then,” adds the 77-year-old former Cowichan chief and councillor.

“We always wanted to build

something like this — a common place for people who

need help.”And elder

liaison to the project Stella Johnny

is enthusiastic.“This is quite the venture for the elders,” she smiles.Some of the people who’ll be moving into the new four-storey assisted living residence now live alone; some with children; others with children and grandchildren.Alphonse, for example, currently lives with her son Paul and his wife. She doesn’t drive any more and recognizes that living at the more central Ts’i’ts’iwatul’ Lelum will offer more independence for her.“Living here will make a big difference in all their lives,” Johnny says.“This means empowerment for them. They will be in their own place with daily living and cultural supports in

place,” she enthuses.“The residents will have independence with supports as they age.”And with a Cowichan Tribes manager and Aboriginal cook already hired, both Alphonse and Johnny are optimistic the cultural goals of the building will be met.“This demonstrates recognition of a strong value in our culture,” smiles Johnny.The 52,000-square-foot building across from Cowichan Tribes office is currently scheduled to be open for elders and people with disability on July 1, says M’akola Housing Society executive director Kevin Albers.Ts’i’ts’iwatul’ Lelum (prounounced Ts-ee-tsu-wa-tul Lay-lum, Hul’qumi’num for Home for Helping Each Other), has been years in the planning and several years in the building.And, confirms Albers, building of the mammoth project is coming in on its original budget of $15 million.“Everything we wanted in the building and in services provided to the residents is there,” he said.

story continued on page 6

A Home for Helping Each Other sprouts at the site of the old Mound

A place for the Elders

Cowichan elder and former chief Philomena Alphonse has applied to be one of the first residents of the new Ts’i’ts’iwatul’ Lelum assisted living residence now under construction at the former

Mound site adjacent downtown Duncan.


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continued from page 4“We haven’t had to cut anything.”This is a unique project for B.C. — funded by provincial dollars and on First Nations land. It will be operated on a day-to-day basis by VIHA.During construction, the building has been pegged as a resource for the whole community.Says Alphonse, who with elder Dora Wilson has taken a key part in discussion with M’akola on the structural aspects of the buildings: “We continue to recommend that the residence be open to relatives of (Tribe) members no matter where they live, as well as the whole community.”The first residents will all be Aboriginal, says Johnny. VIHA will decide who goes in.In terms of health, the assisted-living residence will provide residents with light-housekeeping and meals. This is different from other care homes, like complex-care or residential care, Albers explains. People living in those residences require more help and care.The first thing residents and visitors will see when they enter the building is a towering totem pole carved by Cowichan carver and elder Harold Joe (see sidebar) that tells a story that is uniquely Cowichan: the story of the thunderbird and the killer whale.Once inside, the residents can retire to their fully-equipped suites — 46 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom — or take in the two dining rooms,

craft room, exercise room and theatre room lounge. Outside will be a traditional gathering area.“We asked that the inside colours be pastel,” Alphonse explains, “and that the landscaping reflect our culture.”The private, lockable self-contained suits each have a full bathroom with shower; kitchen and fridge and stove; cable and telephone hook-ups. Each floor has its own laundry, and is accessible by two elevators.Included in their rent, residents will be entitled to two meals per day and a recreation program. They can enjoy assisted bathing, and towels and sheets will be changed weekly. Basic utilities–heat, hot water, garbage and recycling are also included. They’ll also get any personal care services approved by VIHA.As well, every resident will have a medical alert pendant operational in and around the vicinity of the 52,000-square-foot building.The vision for Ts’i’ts’iwatul’ Lelum is straightforward and supportive: the supports we need as we age will extend our independence in a healthy and safe way.“Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum is designed with these life changes and corresponding supports in mind,” says the website.“The project will provide culturally responsible supports to elders with on-site professionals and Aboriginal culturally trained qualified staff to provide many services and personal care supports.”

Complex is home to a pole with a story

The 40-foot totem pole now in place in the foyer of the building tells the story of a story.The pole’s carver Harold Joe explains that in the story, told to Joe by his father, a huge killer whale in Cowichan Bay was stopping salmon from entering the river to spawn and preventing the community from harvesting salmon for the winter feed.After warning the killer whale about its ac-tions, a medicine man was transformed by the Creator into a massive thunderbird.He looked into the water and saw feathered horns on the side of his head. When he opened his eyes it symbolized lightning, and when he opened his mouth it symbolized thunder. Thunderbird then scooped up the killer whale and dropped it on top of a frog — Mount Tzouhalem.Joe explains that the top of the totem sym-bolizes guidance to the Spirit World after we finish our walk on Mother Earth; the middle figure of any totem symbolizes heart; and the bottom of the totem symbolizes grounding.“We learn to be our self, respect other Elder voices to your heart and mind. Because the voice is the Spirit from the Soul when you lose someone special you lose part of your Soul too. That’s why the Elder voices are special to keep you grounded and be with loved ones,” Joe explains.


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by Krista Siefken

Home is where the heart is, we often hear.But when you’ve lived in a house for years — decades, even — it begins to feel like home is where you’ve raised your children, where countless memories have been made. In short: where your life is irrevocably rooted.So when the time comes to leave, it’s not surprising that few accept the change gladly.“It is, without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges that faces any family, because there’s huge resistance, and there isn’t an easy answer to when it’s time to move,” explained Carol Hunt, executive direc-tor at the Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation.“And generally, what we know is that al-most without exception, people wait too long. Everyone wants to stay in their own home, and everyone thinks that’s where their independence is. They think if they go into another living environment, they’ll lose their independence.”

But that doesn’t have to be the case, Hunt said.“There are wonderful housing options out there, where a senior can actually be far more independent because they have more support systems,” she explained.“There are excellent options and supports that many 80- and 90-year-olds aren’t even aware of. We need to look at these things at a time when we can be intelligent and em-pathetic toward a senior’s fear. “It’s about education, and exploring, and helping seniors

understand they’re not necessarily going to lose their independence — and in fact, it can be greatly enhanced.”The alternative, Hunt points out, can be devastating.“One of the issues we observe when our senior or elder stays at home because that’s what they know and they’re used to and they’re terrified of letting go and making a change — which is a legitimate fear, the fear of the unknown — is more

often than not, the senior is going to be extremely isolat-ed and very lonely, because they don’t have a peer group,

saying goodbye to the family home

It can be one of the hardest times in your life

— but it doesn’t have to be

It is, without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges that faces any family, because

there’s huge resistance, and there isn’t an easy answer to

when it’s time to move


To move or noT To move?According to the Senior Living Magazine guide To Move Or Not To Move?, seniors and families should “begin the process of determining what type of housing and care you require by seriously thinking about your personal situation.” — considering housing, care and financial requirements.

Options, meanwhile, include remaining in your own home (perhaps with care), accessory housing, senior-oriented apartments, retirement communities, independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, complex care facilities, campus of care facilities, shared housing by seniors, shared housing in exchange for rent or services, shared housing offered by home owners, and co-habiting with a family member.

they’re not being socialized, and this is where dementia and depression raises its ugly head,” she said.Instead, Hunt suggested talking about options before they’re even necessary, rather than forcing someone into do-ing something they’re uncomfortable with when choice is no longer an op-tion.“What we’re saying is plan ahead,” Hunt said. “Talk about it. Discuss options. Our lives move so fast these days, and there are wait-lists for resi-dences and the other excellent options and supports that are out there.”Seniors still living in the old family home may not even realize how iso-lation and loneliness have crept into their lives, Hunt added.“They may discover that it’s actually pretty cool having friends around, and not having to worry about what could happen in the night if there’s a prob-lem,” she said.“(Leaving the family home) is trau-matic. There’s a lot of fear and a lot of worry about it,” Hunt summed. “So we need to talk about it early on.”

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by Don Bodger

Max Bossi’s attitude about aging and the affects of athletics is admirable.Bossi said he’s never felt better in his life at the age of 67, shattering the myths that we’re all supposed to be going downhill at a certain point.“I suffered 20 years from heavy back pain,’’ he said. “There wasn’t really anything that fixed it because you had to keep working. I loved to work. The alternative would be to be hurting and

depressed at the same time because you couldn’t work.’’Bossi discovered soccer and a positive attitude pulled him through difficult situations.“I’m not unique,’’ he said. “This is the capability of many people who say, ‘no, I won’t accept being down and out.’’’Bossi only took up soccer seven years ago, but has been going full steam ahead ever since. There are opportu-nities for him to play several times a

week indoors and outdoors — depend-ing on the season — and he takes full advantage.Bossi went to the B.C. Seniors Games in Richmond in 2009 and Castlegar in 2010 with a Victoria group.Even though it took a long time to put his soccer skills into practice, it’s al-ways been a passion. Bossi grew up in Switzerland and his mother came from Italian descent.


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get your kicksThe B.C. Seniors Games is a great way for those 55 and older to

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continued from page 10He spent more than 20 years in Manitoba be-fore coming to the valley in 1991.At age 60, “I had bought a pair of soccer shoes at Sports Traders,’’ Bossi said. “Two years they sat in the cupboard.’’He finally pulled them out and got going.“I never looked back,’’ Bossi said. “For health and quality of life, it’s hard to beat.’’He went to Lacey, Washington last year with the Vancouver Island Golden Eagles 65-plus team that included Terry Whitney and Tommy Johansen from Cowichan for an international tournament. The rest of the players were from Campbell River, Nanaimo and Victoria and the team won the championship.The schedule consisted of five 90-minute games in five days and the Golden Oldies beat teams from Tokyo, Japan as well as Seattle, California and Oregon.A 4-1 victory over the Japanese team left a lasting impression on Bossi.“When you think about it and put it into per-spective, they’ve got 75 million people,’’ he said. “They looked formidable.“I was going to turn back and go home. I’m sort of big; I’m 240 (pounds). There would be like three of them hanging from me like grapes.’’The results of the U.S. National/Internation-al Cup in the 65 and older category not only landed Bossi and his teammates a gold medal but $25. “I am now a paid soccer player,’’ he joked.“We glory in the achievement of our young people and so we should,’’ Bossi added. “They dominate the media.“I think, however, that doing what we do at our age is not only precious but also inspiring to others.’’Bossi plays in Ladysmith and Victoria, friend-ship games with the Cowichan Classics Over 50s and Masters Over 40s plus Juan de Fuca drop-in and Over 60s in Victoria.Training for a trip with a Cowichan group that left for Costa Rica on Feb. 25 was his latest goal.And the same international tournament, being held in Bellingham, Washington is on Bossi’s agenda with the 65-plus group this summer.Whenever Bossi reflects on some of his health concerns of the past, he’s glad it’s all behind him.“There are a lot of people that draw attention to their aches and pains,’’ he said. “Probably my reflexes are faster than they were in my 30s and 40s.’’

Max Bossi gets his kicks from playing soccer with many different teams in

many different situations and tournaments, including the 2011 B.C. Seniors Games in

Castlegar and 2009 games in Richmond.

photo: Don Bodger


65or

67?

the 65-year-old question

by Ann Andersen

Old age security at 67 instead of 65?Cowichan’s reaction ranges from non-chalance to fear, and from acceptance to denial and even anger.Everyone has an opinion.Speculation and discussion the Con-servative government will push back the qualifying age for OAS to 67 from 65 has locals talking.As people are living longer, it’s really stretching the (pension) system, says senior Catherine Leger who lives in Duncan’s Wedgwood House.“The money has to be spread among an increasing number of people.”Muriel Toombs, 89, thinks it would be unfair on younger people, as they compete for jobs with seniors who’ll be forced to work past Canada’s tradi-tional retirement age of 65.“There’s so much debt among younger people now,” she muses. “They will probably have to work longer to pay their debts.”She, Leger and Wedgwood manager Linda Fonck all agree on one point: for the most part the generation now in their 70s and 80s didn’t buy items they didn’t have the money for and didn’t go into debt if they could avoid it.A recent Ipsos Reid survey for Sun Life Financial seems to agree that people will work longer: less than one-third of Canadians expect to be fully retired at 66.The survey also confirmed that some people believe they’ll have to work longer so they’ll be able to pay for ba-sic living expenses and deal with their debts.“We will need the income whether we are still working part time or not,” Kate Schneider, 52, says of herself and hus-band Dean, the parents of three chil-dren aged 18, 14 and 11.

“We had children late in life, and it is very difficult to save when raising chil-dren and giving them opportunities for sport and education let alone good nutrition,” Schneider says. “People are living longer, but kids don’t leave home at 18 either.“I’m not sure that full retirement for me will ever be an option,” she says. “It feels as though yet another contract is being broken between the people of this nation and the government who continue to erode what was once an adequate social safety net.”

Says Rhoda Taylor, 56: “OAS is primar-ily a transfer of people from provincial payments to federal payments, from welfare or disability to OAS.”Raising the age qualification would simply download payments — now made to people between the ages of 65 and 67 by the federal OAS — back to the provinces, says Nanaimo-Cow-ichan MP Jean Crowder.For every person on welfare or disabil-ity, the province would have to fork out another two years’ payment.Taylor has another solution: decrease the dollar eligibility level, but don’t change the starting age.She is talking about the clawback level for receiving OAS. Pensioners with an individual net in-come above $69,562 must repay all or part of the maximum OAS pension amount. The whole OAS pension is

eliminated when a pensioner’s net in-come is $112,772 or above.Crowder has been quick to point out that decreasing income for seniors rais-es the spectre of increased poverty for some seniors and reduction in employ-ment for boomers.“There’ll be a very significant increase in poverty for persons aged 65 to 67 unless they’re able to find an alterna-tive source of income,” Crowder said in Ottawa’s House of Commons last month.“This is not an immediate problem and obviously not going to affect any-one for about 10 years,” said accoun-tant Woody Hayes of Duncan’s Hayes Stewart Little & Co.In Crofton, Patsy Irving recalls that it wasn’t too long ago that people nearing senior age were asking for the manda-tory retirement age to be moved to 67 or deleted altogether.“The people who are fast approaching OAS are of a generation that for the most part has enjoyed relative pros-perity and long term employment and have therefore steadily contributed to OAS 30 to 40 years or more,” she said.“I have worked my life with the ex-pectation that I would be able to claim OAS at 65,” says Mary-Lynne Weberg, 54. “The thought of delaying OAS to 67 fills me with fear and anger.“Before they play with OAS they need to make amendments to the MP pen-sion plan. That would be fair.”Fifty-two year old Patty McNamara agrees and says the fact that people are living longer shouldn’t be used against them.“For people like me who won’t have other pensions to rely on, this move is life-altering. I can’t imagine getting to 65 in a workforce that doesn’t value older workers.”


Cowichan boomers and seniors voice support, concerns about potential pension eligibility changes

“It’s a blip on the radar and the Conservatives are using it to frighten younger people into supporting it by saying

it’s not sustainable.”


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continued from page 13“The effects of this change on women who are married to older men are that we will have two fewer golden years together to en-joy the fruits of our labour and our grandkids.”McNamara says the “grey tsuna-mi” is not going to go on forever.“It’s blip on the radar and the Conservatives are using it to frighten younger people into sup-porting it by saying it’s not sus-tainable.”Doyle Childs, 50, says he’s fine with the age being raised as peo-ple’s lifespans are longer.“If people are expecting to collect OAS for 20 years or more, the gov-ernment needs to do something about it,” he said.“If we think of 60 being the new 50, people healthier than they used to be and lasting longer, it’s not inappropriate to extend the time before people become eli-gible for the old age security net,” says Hayes.According to Hayes, with the baby boomers now entering the arena,

Canadians have to look at what’s affordable and what taxpayers can afford.“I don’t believe the change (of eli-gibility) from 65 to 67 is an attack on seniors. It’s a very narrow win-dow,” he explained.“If people are in dire straits there will be a safety net for them.”Crowder meanwhile stressed that when you’re talking about income seniors receive, you’re talking about their health and well-being as well.“Therefore, that’s why it’s really important that we not delay in-come for seniors by two years, as the trial balloon that was floated by the Prime Minister would,” she said.Crowder told the House seniors who are just getting old age secu-rity and GIS are already living be-low the low-income cutoff.“If they start pushing those num-bers up, what are those seniors between the ages of 65 and 67 go-ing to do? These are seniors who qualify and many of them are at the low end,” she said.


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The Old Age Security pension is a monthly payment available to most Canadians aged 65 or older. You must apply to receive benefits. If you meet the eligibility requirements explained below, you may be entitled to receive OAS even if you are still working or have never worked.

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by Krista Siefken

One person’s trash may be another’s treasure, but when stuff starts to accu-mulate in countless piles around some-one’s house, it becomes little more than a trove of health and safety hazards.“It’s not a laziness issue, it’s a mental wellness issue,” says Cowichan seniors advocate Jacquie Smith. “There are some really good reasons people hoard, and very good reasons why we need to work through some of those issues — because it’s more than an issue. It’s a huge problem.”While executive director at the Seniors Resource and Support Society, Smith saw many cases of hoarding.Landlords would call the office, reluc-tant to evict a senior but ordered to have an over-stuffed apartment cleared due to the resulting fire hazard.Families would come in and dismiss

a 25-year-old collection as crap as the senior hoarder listened in shock and horror.“We’ve gone in on a case-by-case basis to assist a senior, but it’s not been any-thing close to what it looks like on the (hoarding) television shows,” Smith said.“Hoarding comes in probably five dif-ferent levels, but our teams only go as far as a level two, where someone feels incapacitated but generally doesn’t have a lifetime of hoarding behind them. Anything beyond that is a health hazard for our senior volunteers — and we don’t have many of them because it is hard work.”Smith explained a past trauma or trag-edy has frequently been the catalyst for hoarding behaviour. Another con-tributor among elderly hoarders is a common history of going without, and subconsciously stockpiling because of that.“It’s been noted that it’s generational, but it can also be learned behaviour,” Smith said.And, she stressed, there is help avail-able.“Certainly talk to the senior out-reach team. Seek counselling. Talk to Cowichan Family Life,” she advised.Dr. Crosbie Watler, chief of psychia-try at Cowichan District Hospital, says hoarding is not currently recognized as a discrete psychiatric disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

of Mental Disorders, but there is pro-posed criteria for “Hoarding Disorder” (see sidebar).“The treatment focus would be to identify and treat the primary under-lying condition,” Watler explained, noting hoarding is not restricted to the senior population.“I see this profile only rarely in my practice, and only when they come to attention due to safety or broader men-tal health concerns,” Watler added. “At this junction, hoarding has usually been present for some time and there is commonly an underlying indepen-dent psychiatric or cognitive disorder. Among seniors, hoarding is commonly associated with cognitive decline/de-mentia, but not invariably so.”The first step for families, Watler said, is to obtain a complete medical/psychi-atric evaluation.“This will clarify the presence of an underlying psychiatric/cognitive disor-der,” he said.“Hoarding is much like a fever — it is commonly a symptom of another pri-mary condition. The focus should be on identifying and treating the under-lying condition, while addressing the immediate safety and public health concerns given the person’s physical environment.”Smith, meanwhile, had some sugges-tions for families broaching the topic with an elderly hoarder.


helping your elderly hoarderDo you know a senior who has a problem with

hoarding? You’re not alone


A cAse of positive hoArdingOf course, not all cases of “hoarding” are necessarily negative.Just look at Longevity John Falkner.The man behind the Duncan Garage Showroom has a far-reaching reputation for his collection of unique items.Falkner says he’s been collecting cool stuff since the age of six, when he bought an old desk with 10,000 pennies and started stashing neat things inside of it.“Since then, I’ve been finding things — never brand-new things,” he says, calling himself a curator.During cross-country journeys, Falkner would stop at second-hand stores and garage sales to pick over other people’s junk.“I look for stories,” he explains. “And if it hasn’t got a story, I make one up.”The fruits of Falkner’s findings are on display at the Showroom, where everything from a mechanical egg-flipper and a silent wind-chime to 97 different nickel-plated, brass duck banks can be found.“It’s like winning the lottery every day,” Falkner said of cool finds. “That’s the fun of collecting. I don’t hoard as much as I search.”

Duncan music promoter Longevity John Falkner has

been collecting oddities since he was a child

photo: Andrew Leong


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“Certainly language is very important because the things they’ve hoarded have been important to them,” she said.“Do be aware the person knows it’s a lot of stuff. Do be aware they know it looks like a mess. Do be aware they probably don’t want to live like that, either. They’re just caught in a cycle.”

Very often, Smith added, bringing in grandchildren to assist in handling the hoard can help.“Children of hoarders are often very embarrassed, or they don’t have patience with their parent — and, to be honest, a lot of parents don’t have patience with their kids, either,” she said. “But putting it a genera-tion apart, it can even be a summer project for the

grand kids. They can bring in a camera, take pictures of the items, and write the stories.”Families can also stress the importance of helping the community — donating fur-niture for young families, clothes to the homeless, games to the hospital, an-tiques to museums.“Take them through it step by step. Don’t be conde-scending. Never devalue

what’s there, even an old piece of paper — it had val-ue at one time,” Smith said.“Hoarding is a bigger prob-lem than people think, and I would suggest it’s going to get bigger if we don’t do something about it. “And if you don’t think it’s your problem, that this is just a seniors’ issue, well, you’re either a senior or a senior-in-training.”

ProPosed criteria for “Hoarding

disorder”a. Persistent difficulty

discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of the value others may attribute to these possessions.

B. this difficulty is due to strong urges to save items and/or distress associated with discarding.

c. the symptoms result in the accumulation of a large number of possessions that fill up and clutter active living areas of the home or workplace to the extent that their intended use is no longer possible. if all living areas are uncluttered, it is only because of the interventions of third parties (family members, cleaners, authorities).

d. the symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

e. the hoarding symptoms are not due to a general medical condition (brain injury, etc).

f. the hoarding symptoms are not restricted to the symptoms of another mental disorder (eg. hoarding due to obsessions in obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc).


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by Peter W. Rusland

Everybody in Cowichan knows that our wine industry has exploded in the past 20 years to become one of our signature at-tractions.And virtually every local culture lover has their favourite anecdote about Cow-ichan’s grape success, or better yet, their favourite vintage.But for those who haven’t been here since day one, there are a few things that may have been overlooked or taken for grant-ed in the hype.Here are 10 things you may not have known about Cowichan’s wine industry:



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continued from page 211. Cowichan’s oldest winery is Zanatta Vineyards. Dennis Zanatta arrived in 1958 and quickly planted vines to make wine for himself. In the 1980s the B.C. government funded a one-acre pilot project where he experimented with a number of vines. The results inspired Zanatta to establish his winery in 1989 and release his first vintage in 1992.2. There are currently 15 wineries in the valley plus Merridale Ciderworks. Many local wineries, bistros and chefs participate in the annual Cowichan Wine & Culinary Festival.3. Beside a barrel of different grapes grown in Cowichan’s vari-ous micro-climates, award-winning blackberry wines are made at Cherry Point Vineyards and Rocky Creek Winery.“Enough wild blackberries are bought from the locals to make 11,000 bottles of dessert wine,” said Cherry Point co-owner Xavier Bonilla who, with wife Maria Clara, bought Cherry Point from Cowichan Tribes in 2009.“Cherry Point started the blackberry tradition in Cowichan,” Bonilla said of his 21-acre winery producing some 4,000 cases of product annually.4. The largest volume of wine annually produced in Cowichan is some 7,000 cases from 30 acres planted by Averill Creek Vine-yards on Mount Prevost, according to owner Andy Johnston.5. Cowichan’s cool-climate geography, not its sunshine, helps us yield some excellent grapes.“We make some of the best pinot noirs in Canada, and Averill Creek has been invited to be a feature winery at the Interna-tional Pinot Noir Conference in Oregon,” said Johnston.“We have enough heat units for the cool-climate varieties like

ortega, and baccus — Germanic varieties do well on the is-land.“But you can’t grow cabernet sauvignon, auxerois, or any grape that needs lots of sunshine.”Bonilla agreed.“There’s a big misconception that sunshine makes good wine,” he said, noting Costa Rica and the Amazon aren’t big wine regions.“Dry air makes good wine. The Cowichan Valley is very hu-mid all year, but in the summer we have four months of dry air and that’s what makes our wine very unique — it’s The Warm Land but dry.”



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continued from page 236. Valley grapes don’t make wine, Co-wichan’s soil does, noted Bonilla, add-ing top wines are blends of varieties.“It’s the earth that makes the wine, and that puts you in a different boat.“People think single grape varieties are more elegant. No — that only works for whiskey, like single-malt scotch. “The best wines in the world are blends,” he said of Cherry Point’s 12-odd different grapes — including the rare Austrian grape called zwiegelt — used to make some nine wines a year.“We taste weaknesses and strengths of each grape and every year is different. Even in bad years we can make beauti-ful wine because we have a little of this and a little of that.“Our wines are never really the same each year.”7. Pests raiding Cowichan’s vines could eat every grape if precautions weren’t taken.“We probably have the most netting because we have the biggest vine-yard,” said overhead-net fan Johnston.“I don’t like side netting because you

still lose 25 per cent of your fruit.”Winged culprits are robins, starlings and flickers.“You’d lose 100 per cent of your crop without netting — cannons don’t work.”Bears and raccoons are also vineyard freeloaders.“We do our best to patrol the vineyard

and scare bears away,” said Johnston. “Racoons will also do major damage, but you can trap them.”8. Merridale Ciderworks was B.C.’s first estate cidery. It features promi-nently in Cowichan’s winefest and

other foodie events.The island’s only other cidery is Saan-ich Peninsula’s Sea Cider, said Merrid-ale co-owner Janet Docherty.Merridale, near Shawnigan Lake, com-prises about 20 acres holding some 3,500 cider apple trees yielding seven types of cider.9. Cowichan’s only vodka, called Frizz, comes from Merridale. Frizz is just be-ing released.“It’s made from five different types of fruit, each fermented separately, dis-tilled separately twice, then blended and carbonated,” Docherty said. “But it’s not sweet; it’s a vodka.”10. The island’s only brandy — called Cowichan Brandy — is also made at Mer-ridale, as are its other unique liquors.“Our brandy hasn’t been released — it’s still in barrels,” Docherty said of her calvados-style brandy made from cider, not eating, apples.Merridale’s distilled apple and black-berry Oh! de vie is twinned by its Pomme Oh!, and Mure Oh! Both are “fruitified products that are a combina-tion of fermentation and distillation,” Docherty said.

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bone health

Erin Whiteford demonstrates how the Bone Mineral

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District Hospital.

photo: Andrew Leong


by Don Bodger

Incidents of osteoporosis are being de-tected far more readily since the intro-duction of a new service at Cowichan District Hospital.Valley residents have taken full advan-tage of the convenience of Bone Min-eral Densitometry examinations avail-able at the hospital for diagnosing the disease since February 2010.They might not have otherwise trav-eled outside the region for testing and diagnosis of the disease that affects bone mass and tissue. And they may not have had the appropriate remedies takenInitial contributions of $150,000 from the Cowichan District Hospital Foun-dation and the Ministry of Health through the Vancouver Island Health Authority for $115,000 in renovations, installation costs and staff training made the service start-up possible.Testing to measure BMD is called Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. The non-invasive procedure only takes a few minutes to complete on an outpatient basis.A very low-dose X-Ray uses far less radiation than a standard chest X-Ray and takes measurements at the spine, hip and forearm.“DEXA is considered the gold stan-dard for diagnosing osteoporosis and also for monitoring the effects of osteo-porosis therapy,’’ noted CDH’s Medi-cal Imaging Manager Carol Petrie after the service was introduced.The service was previously only avail-able to valley residents by going to either Nanaimo, Campbell River or Victoria.

The numbers show it’s been a great addition to the community for the de-tection of osteoporosis.It has now been two years since access to the BMD started for valley resi-dents. A total of 1,772 patients have been tested.“That is a lot of people who were able to have screening done in their own community,’’ noted Anya Nimmon of VIHA communications for the Central Island.“Bookings for the test come through physician referral and must meet Med-ical Service Plan criteria which is cur-rently that the test would not have to be repeated for three years.’’Osteoporosis does not develop over-night. Bone mass can be lost steadily without a person experiencing any

symptoms or signs of the disease until a fracture occurs.For that reason, early detection of bone loss is critical in the prevention of frac-tures. Once a fracture occurs, osteopo-rosis is already advanced.BMD tests are recommended for all men and women 65 years and older.For postmenopausal women and men 50 to 64, risk factors include: fragility fracture after age 40, a parental hip frac-ture, low bone mass identified on X-Ray, high alcohol intake, smoking, low body weight, weight loss greater than 10 per cent since age 25, high risk medication use and rheumatoid arthritis.Men and women younger than 50 with a disease or condition associated with low bone mass or bone loss are also at risk.

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by Peter W. Rusland

Young performers may be the mainstay of the vener-able Cowichan Music Fes-tival.But some of those 4,000-some thespians — spanning dancers, vocalists, pianists, choirs, instrumentalists and speech artists — range in age from baby boomers to seniors.Leslie Sjoberg, head of the CMF in its 63rd year, ap-plauded current adult per-formers and support from past competitors.“They’re all just marvel-ous,” Sjoberg said, as she prepared for the March 7 Highlights Concert at the Cowichan Theatre.“Most of them that aren’t performing are great sup-porters.”One perennial booster is Jean Davis.Now involved with CMF speech arts and more, Da-vis found herself on the festival’s stage as an adult performer in the ‘70s do-ing what she now calls her

“party piece” from which she sometimes quotes dur-ing private functions.“I just thought I’d give it a try,” she said of the piece called Castles In The Air based on the daydreams of a scullery maid.In about 1981, Davies and pal Peg Smith did a duo-logue scene from Separate Tables.Davies’ dad, Gwilym Morris, was the unsuspecting adju-dicator of the two-hander.“He had no idea he’d be ad-judicating our duologue.”Davis cheered other ma-ture players, such as Dr. Graham Brockley who sung Bring Him Home from Les Misérables in CMF 2011, and Music Of The Night from Phantom Of The Opera during this year’s competitions.Tenor and local actor Denny Beaveridge, 76, last com-peted in the festival about a dozen years ago, but had fond memories of his stage experience.“I went in the festival regu-larly. It’s good exposure and a chance to perform serious

music.“There’s always a chance to play around with pop music, plus opera and operetta,” said Beaveridge, who par-ticipated during his vocal studies.“The festival can be very beneficial, particularly for those studying voice — you get to hear adjudication of yourself and others.“Adjudication is a very valu-able thing to give you fo-cus on things you’re doing wrong, or doing right as a confidence booster.”Lyric soprano Maureen Gal-lacher agreed.“It’s a very forgiving audi-ence, and the adjudicator is usually very encouraging,” the local senior said after singing four times in CMF ‘12.“It just about killed me — it’s hard work,” she said of preparing for the festival, then appearing in it.“It’s very scary standing up there all alone with an adju-dicator poised with a pencil, and an accompanist waiting.“The accompanist goes on whether you make a mis-

take not.”Still, Gallacher praised her supportive teacher, Meredythe Broadway.“I’ve been to a lot of festi-vals and always think I’m getting too old, but I get lots of encouragement from people running the festival, and from Meredythe.”The festival hooks some performers, hinted Gallach-er, a 10-year CMF veteran.“The more you do it, the more is expected of you.“This year did a Handel Ital-ian piece, a Canadian piece, an old Scottish classical-folk song, and an English art song.”The payoff is self-satisfac-tion.Singing gives me a lot of joy,” said Gallacher who hoped young performers share that thrill.“The festival lets the young people see what they can do, and adjudicators say it’s great older folks do go on.“The festival’s a whole package — you’ve got to be prepared, and hope you don’t muff the whole thing up.”

never too old to

sing Maureen Gallacher sings Bel Piacere by Handel

during 63rd-annual Cowichan Music Festival

at the Duncan United Church on Feb. 13.

photo: Andrew LeongCowichan’s annual music festival isn’t limited to the young as boomers and seniors hit the

stage to tout their talent


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Baby boomers embracing the once-taboo concept of turning their bodies into a temple of art

Linda Baldwin, who sports a rainforest on her left arm, says tattoos are no longer associated with the coarser things in life.

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Linda Baldwin has a bumper sticker that really sums up the new attitude on body art.“Tattoos — not just for sailors and whores any-more.”And that’s a growing consensus — even among the 50s-and-older crowd.In fact, more and more baby boomers are view-ing their bodies as an art canvas. They’re ready and willing to try a bold new hair colour or style — think a purple streak, or a daring cut — or finally get that tattoo they’ve always wanted.“It’s definitely changing,” says Richard Hick-ey, owner and tattoo artist at Primal Urge Body Art.“There’s been a shift in people’s attitudes to-ward ink. What I’m hearing is that it was, at one time, taboo. Only ‘trashy women,’ sailors and gang members got tattoos.”But now, it’s an accepted art form.“Some of the most amazing artists are doing ink,” says Hickey. “It’s bringing it to the fore-front of society. Instead of trashy, it’s moving, modern art.”It helps that the science behind tattoos has evolved. Inks are brighter, more vivid and last longer than ever before (which means less wor-rying about what it’ll look like when skin starts — or has already started — to wrinkle).“Now I’m inking baby boomers who’re saying, ‘Secretly, I’ve always wanted one,’ — and now it’s acceptable,” says Hickey.



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continued from page 31He’s even tattooed a pair of seniors — somewhere between 85 and 90 years old — with a couple of tarantulas.“It was totally killer,” Hickey remem-bers with a grin.Another man embraced his balding hair by having Hickey ink a lawnmower on his head.“If you’ve always wanted one, there’s a reason why, and if it’s important to you, remember: it’s your body, it’s your tem-ple, so if you want it, get it,” he says. “There’s no limitation now. The sky is the limit. The only thing that can stop it is your own imagination.”Baldwin’s imagination has gained her

an entire rainforest, all from the com-fort of her left arm.The 52-year-old has eight tattoos in-cluding the colourful sleeve.“We’re more into freedom of expres-sion now,” she says. “Tattoos are no longer associated with the coarser side of life. It’s a medium to express your-self, express your individuality. They can symbolize something close to your heart, and society is more open about it — it’s not nearly as judgmental.”And nothing in five decades has made Baldwin reconsider her stance.“I’ve never, for even one moment, re-gretted any of my tattoos.”Hickey also credits a modern global

society with helping spread ideas and trends for boomers’ more youthful ap-proach to appearances.Paris McIvor at the Paris Styling Group salon on Station Street is a baby boom-er herself, and agrees modern media makes it easier for people — of all ages — to embrace new trends.“People are seeing that women our age can look absolutely incredible, and it’s not that we’re trying to necessarily look younger, but we’re young-at-heart and portraying that,” she says.“We’ve realized we have so much more to offer, and we want to keep ourselves young-at-heart, and healthy and beau-tiful.”

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Adult Day ProgramsChemainus Health Care Centre Adult Day ProgramPhone: 250-246-3291

Providence FarmGloria Bond, SAGC Program Coordinator1843 Tzouhalem Rd., DuncanPhone: 250-746-9668

Waldon House Day Program2041 Tzouhalem Rd., Duncanuse entrace off Maple Bay Rd.Phone: 250-737-2037

Community PolicingCowichan Community Policing Advisory SocietySuzanne Jensen, President, 2009/106060 Canada Ave., DuncanPhone: c/o 250-701-9146

Duncan Community Policing OfficeCarol-Ann Rolls, Volunteer Prog. & Services3-149 Canada Ave. DuncanPhone: 250-701-9145

Chemainus Community Policing Office9847 Willow St. Chemainus, BCPhone: 250-246-4382

Cowichan Bay Community Policing Office1721 E Cowichan Bay Rd., Cowichan BayPhone: 250-701-1961

Compassionate CareCompassionate ConnectionsLorraine DemersPhone: 250-748-1317

Crisis Line SupportVancouver Island Crisis Line1–888–494–3888Emotional support and access to Island-wide community resources. The crisis line operates 24/7/365.

Grandparents SupportParent Support Services Society of BCSandi Halvorsen, Program CoordinatorPhone: 1-877-345-9777

Home Adaptations & RepairsEase-Ability Renovations & Construction Ltd.Dan Nugent Phone: 250-743-1955

Handy Mum Home Improvements & Garden ServicesDominique Daviau970 Shawnigan Mill Bay Rd.Phone: 250-510-3552

Home Garden & Yard CareThe BarwicksKeith and Katherine BarwickPhone: 250–743–3363

Lush Eco LawnsJohn Close3054 Biscay Rd. Duncan, BC Phone: 250-597-0408

Pam’s Part-time PassionPamPhone: 250-748-3116

Home Support – PrivateAbout Time Homecare & Nursing Services Jennifer Lally, Manager3297 Renita Ridge Rd. Duncan, BC Phone: 250-748-0513

Angel Helping Hands Homecare & Companionship #6-1040 Trunk Rd., Duncan Phone: 250-746-9946

Harmony Health Care Ltd.John McAlorum, RN, Dir. of OperationsUnit 2A–2753 Charlotte Rd. Duncan, Phone: 250-701-9990

In Good Hands Home CareSharon Klewchuk, Walt DeelmanPhone; 250-701-3936

Northgate Support ServicesLaila Pera, Owner, CSAPhone: 250-743-8288

Nurse Next Door Home HealthcareChris Wilkinson, DirectorPhone: 250-748-4357

Pacific Live-in Caregivers Robin Smith, OwnerBox 1771, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1B3 Phone: 250-616-2346

We Care Home Health Services205-149 Ingram St. Duncan, BCPhone: 250-746-9224

Home Support – Vancouver Island Health AuthorityDuncan Home and Community Care121 Ingram St. DuncanPhone: 250-737-2004

Housing – Non-Profit, Low Cost Abbeyfield Houses Society of DuncanKathleen Skovgaard5905 Indian Rd. DuncanPhone: 250-597-0677

Duncan Housing SocietyManager280 First St. Duncan, BCPhone: 250-748-0521

Duncan Kiwanis Village Society355 Day Rd. DuncanPhone: 250-748-4135

King George Seniors Affordable Housing SocietyMarg BelvesyPhone: 250- 749-0190

Ladysmith Senior Housing Society Ted Walker250- 245-7916

Housing – Private Acacia Ty MawrJoan Taylor2655 Shawnigan Lake Rd. Phone: 250-743-2124 ext 106

AlpenroseLaura & Bill Loftus2267 Lochsyde Drive, DuncanPhone: 250-748-3803

Deertrail Cottage Inc.Laurie Gillis, Owner/Manager1711 Escarpment Way DuncanPhone: 250-746-9641

Dovehill HouseMarguerite Moskalyk3292 Ash Rd ChemainusPhone: 250-416-0332

Golden Acres CareDonna van der vlugt, Owner/OperatorPhone: 250-749-4367

Heritage Manor Care HomeTanya Mosure, Owner1051 College St. Duncan,Phone: 250-748-3488

Lynn’s Senior CareLynn Scott, RCA5085 Jones Rd. LadysmithPhone: 250-245-3391

Nana’s Guest House Sandy Baker, Owner57 Park Rd., Lake Cowichan BC V0R 2G0Phone: 250–749–3326

The Cowichan News Leader Pictorial would like to thank and acknowledge the efforts of the Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation and its volunteers for compiling this resource directory.

It has been edited for space limitations by the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial and in no way is meant to be considered comprehensive. Content inquiries should be sent to: [email protected]

A more comprehensive directory is available at: www.cowichanseniors.ca

COWICHAN SENIORS RESOuRCE DIRECTORY


Housing – Private Pioneer House Bed & BreakfastAlberta Schneider, Owner6470 Burnett Place, Duncan BC V9L 5R7Phone: 250–746–8280

Sherwood HouseAudrey Norman, Manager280 Government St. DuncanPhone: 250-710-8882

Housing – Private Wedgwood HouseLinda Fonck, Manager256 Government St. DuncanPhone: 250-746-9808

Villa del SolCarol Reid, RN647 Frayne Rd. Mill BayPhone: 250-743-7061

International Health Care International Health Care ProvidersT. Rand Collins, PhD, MDPhone: 250-732-6603

Meals and NutritionGloria’s Food ServiceGloria RamseyPhone: 250-748-9216

Meals on Wheelsc/o Cowichan Home Support20-127 Ingram St. DuncanPhone: 250-737-2004

Mental Health SupportDuncan Mental Health and

SeniorsCindy Patrick3088 Gibbins Rd. DuncanPhone: 250-709-3040

Moving & DownsizingDuncan Moving & StorageJoyce Bennett2-2913 Allenby Rd, Duncan250-746-5103

Every DetailJane Sheppard2093 Calais Rd. DuncanPhone: 250-748-3626

Moving Made EasyDonna WalkerPhone: 250-701-1886

Non Profit Societies – Senior ServicesCowichan Family Caregivers Support SocietyRanjana Basu, CoordinatorShawnigan LakePhone: 250-743-7621Cowichan Intercultural SocietyDeborah Connor, Executive Director205-394 Duncan St. DuncanPhone: 250-748-3112

Cowichan Valley Hospice SocietyShelley Kuecks, Client Intake Coordinator3122 Gibbins Rd. DuncanPhone: 250-701-4242Toll-free 1-888-701-4242

Senior Resource and Support SocietyJacquie Smith-Executive Director1 Kenneth Place DuncanPhone: 250-748-2133

St. John AmbulanceLori McNeil, Branch Manager205-169 Craig St. DuncanPhone: 250-746-4058

Volunteer Cowichan1 Kenneth Place DuncanPhone: 250-748-2133

Seniors GroupsChemainus Seniors Drop In Centre SocietyFrank Gibbins, President9824 Willow Street, ChemainusPhone: 250-246-2111

Crofton Seniors SocietyPat McMicken, President1507 Joan Street, CroftonPhone: 250-246-2455

Elder CollegeJennifer Carmichael, Recreation Programmer2687 James Street, DuncanPhone: 250-746-0414 or250-748-7529 to register

Ladysmith Seniors Centre SocietyCora Maier, PresidentPhone: 250-245-8885

Lake Cowichan Seniors CentreGreg McCallum, President55 Coronation Street, Lake CowichanPhone: 250-749-6121

South End Seniors Stuart Calder, PresidentKerry Park Rec. Centre1035 Shawnigan-Mill Bay Rd.

Valley Seniors Organization of DuncanGeorge Capella, President198 Government Street, DuncanPhone: 250-746-4433

Service BC and Service Canada Service BC ProgramsByron Johnston5785 Duncan St. Duncan, BC Phone: 250-746-1226Service Canada CentreLinda Granger211 Jubilee St. DuncanPhone: 1-800-622-6232

Service Clubs Arbutus Travel Clubc/o Corry SalmenPhone: 250-701-0965

Chemainus Masonic Lodge #114Pat Fyffe, Secretary3052 Hawthorne St., ChemainusPhone: 250-246-3579

Cowichan Toastmaster’s Club #950Zoe Nash, Public RelationsPhone: 250-732-3915

Duncan Kiwanis ClubRon Colter355 Day Rd., DuncanPhone: 748-4135

Duncan Lion’s ClubP.O. Box 52, Duncan, BC V9L 3X1

Duncan Masonic Lodge #33Bob Crawford, Secretary5700 Menzies Rd., DuncanPhone: 250-748-1028

Elks Club of DuncanSylvia Lucas, Bar ManagerAlbert Scholtens, Exalted RulerPhone: 250-746-6812

Fraternal Order of Eagles, Chemainus-Crofton #4400Merv Brown / Bill Yearly, SecP.O. Box 45, Chemainus, BC V0R 1K0Phone: 250-246-3401

Fraternal Order of Eagles, Duncan #2546Tracy Norman, Secretary2965 Jacob Road, DuncanPhone: 250-746-7100Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ladysmith #2101P.O. Box 640, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A5Phone: 250-245-3183

Kinettes Club of DuncanKelly Waywitka, Deputy Governor5823 Brier Ave. DuncanPhone: 250-748-7208

Kinsmen Club of DuncanJason Czettisch, Past President5990 Indian Rd., DuncanPhone: 250-746-1940

Ladysmith Kinsmen ClubDuck Patterson, Life MemberP.O. Box 324, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A3Phone: 250-245-2263

Ladysmith Masonic Lodge #21 Joel Chiri, SecretaryP.O. Box 261, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A2Phone: 250-245-4797

Lion’s Club of Duncan Housing SocietyP.O. Box 52, Duncan, BC V9L 3X1Phone: 250-748-1044

Lion’s Club of LadysmithJim Masyk, SecretaryP.O. Box 2293, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1B8Phone: 250-245-4049

Mill Bay Masonic Lodge #107Stuart Calder, Treasurer2231 Benko Rd., Mill BayPhone: 250-743-5339

Rotary Club, ChemainusMike Beggs, PresidentP.O. Box 297, Chemainus, BC V0R 1K0Phone: 250-245-4549

COWICHAN SENIORS RESOuRCE DIRECTORy


Service Clubs Rotary Club, DuncanRoger Hart, SecretaryP.O. Box 473, Duncan, BC V9L 3X8Phone: 250-715-3039

Rotary, Duncan Daybreak Alana Elliott, PresidentPhone: 250-715-1481

Rotary Club, LadysmithMichael Furlot, SecretaryP.O. Box 875, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A6Phone: 250-245-5771 or 250-245-2052

Rotary Club, South CowichanShirley WalkerP.O. Box 241, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L0Phone: 250-743-6727

Royal Canadian Legion, Chemainus Branch #191Beverly Olsen, Office ManagerP.O. Box 423, Chemainus, BC V0R 1K0Phone: 250-246-3133

Royal Canadian Legion, Cowichan Branch #53Allan Waddy, PresidentKenneth St., Duncan, BC V9L 1N3Phone: 250-746-5013

Royal Canadian Legion, Ladysmith Branch #171Georgina Lorette, SecretaryP.O. Box 219, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A2Phone: 250-245-3031 or 250-245-2273

Royal Canadian Legion, Lake Cowichan Branch #210Sam Jones, Bar ManagerP.O. Box 603, Lake Cowichan, BC V0R 2G0Phone: 250-749-6041

Royal Canadian Legion, Shawnigan Lake Branch #1341625 Shawnigan-MillBay RdPhone: 250-743-4621

Women of the MooseP.O. Box 371, Duncan, BC V9L 3X5Phone: 250-746-7382

Young Seniors Action Group SocietyRoyal Canadian Legion, 1625 Shawnigan-MillBay RdPhone: 250-743-5178 or 250-743-8344

Support Societies, Disease RelatedAlzheimer Society of BCJane HopePhone:1-800-462-2833

Canadian Cancer SocietyMaureen Hyde100-394 Duncan St., DuncanPhone: 250-746-4134

Canadian Red Cross Help ProgramJack Faber2-5855 York St., DuncanPhone: 250-748-2111

Cowichan Valley Arthritis SocietyJan NorwoodBox 942, Duncan, BC V9L 3Y8Phone: 250-748-2481

Diabetes Education ProgramKathy Park121 Ingram St., DuncanPhone: 250-737-2004

Duncan Mental Health and SeniorsCindy Patrick3088 Gibbins Rd., DuncanPhone: 250-709-3040

Heart and Stroke FoundationJanice Krall,401-495 Dunsmuir St., NanaimoPhone: 1-888-754-5274

Kidney Foundation200-4940 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6Phone: 1-800-567-8112

Stroke Recovery Assoc.- Cowichan Valley BranchPattyPO Box 394 Duncan, B.C. V9L 3X5Phone: 250-748-6587

Support Group for Low VisionSeniorsKaren McClincheyPhone: 250-746-6041

Therapy Dog VisitsTherapy Dog Visitation Program,St. John AmbulanceJudy Wood, Unit FacilitatorPhone: 250-715-0949Lynn James, Community Service CoordinatorPhone: 250-246-2938

St. John Ambulance205-169 Craig St. DuncanPhone: 250-746-4058

TransportationCare-A-Van ServicesRosalind Wilson Owner/Operator1851 Sandra Place, DuncanPhone: 250-701-5751

Cowichan Valley Regional Transit#3-5280 Polkey Rd., DuncanPhone: 250-746-9899Web: www.busonline.ca

Executive Travel & TourismBob Lord, PresidentPhone: 250-897-3881

handyDartContact Person: Amber1 Kenneth Place, DuncanPhone: 250-748-1230Wheels for Wellness Society1894 Bolt Ave. ComoxPhone: 250-338-0196Wheels for Wellness Society1894 Bolt Avenue, ComoxPhone: 250-338-0196

Wellness CoachingRejuvenations - Wellness Coaching ServicesValerie Childs, MSc.Phone: 250-246-9452

CoWiCHAn SEnioRS RESouRCE DiRECToRY

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by Ann Andersen

We’re sitting chatting in her comfort-able office when MP Jean Crowder springs a surprise.“I’ll be 60 this year,” she smiles.This irony is not lost on either of us as Crowder begins to talk about the challenges seniors are facing in the Cowichan Valley; the roadblocks to finding solutions to those challenges; how Crowder is helping through local forums and Parliament; and what we can do to help.“The issues facing seniors have grown because the cost of everything has gone up, but pensions haven’t kept up,” she says.In the Cowichan Valley, the most pressing issues are seniors’ incomes and housing, she explains.In Cowichan, the move away from the forestry industry means lower wage jobs for many people. People can’t save at the same rate, so more and more se-niors have to work part-time.“Seniors haven’t been able to save; only one-third of people put money into RRSPs; only about one-third have private sector pensions,” Crowder adds.And income obviously has an impact on the second issue — housing.“For younger seniors who have houses as assets, they can run into trouble pay-

ing property taxes, upkeep and main-tenance,” Crowder says.For older seniors, age-appropriate care — like home support and suitable resi-dential care — is the issue.Crowder says the challenge with the supply of age-appropriate housing is that housing is multi-jurisdictional.“The feds give money to the provinc-es, but there’s no accountability back to the feds; the BC Housing Authority sets priorities, but seniors are not one of them; the municipalities are respon-sible for property taxes and zoning,” she expands.Crowder describes a developer who was in her office recently.“He wanted to construct an age-appro-priate building right here in the valley, then found out he couldn’t do it be-cause of the rules.“There is no overall strategy. We need one.”Affordability of long-term age-appro-priate care is another issue in the mix, she says.She describes health care challenges for seniors: drug affordability and ac-cessibility; and people trapped in acute care who shouldn’t be there be-cause they need less care. But there’s nowhere else for them to go.“We also hear that while the univer-

sities are training plenty of people in pediatrics, there’s a shortage of health workers for the geriatric age group,” she says.Although transportation is a provincial concern, it has its effect here. Crowder describes a lady who had to travel to Victoria for her driving test, and couldn’t find a way to get there.“A volunteer driving program is great, but it mustn’t take away the require-ment for an effective local transporta-tion system that meets the needs of seniors,” she says.“What we discovered from recent work and seniors forums is that not all side-walks in Lake Cowichan are wheel-chair accessible; we should have auto-matic doors on buses; and stop lights aren’t long enough because seniors need more time to cross the road,” she said.“These are simple things, but impor-tant. Every community needs an age-friendly check list.”Elder abuse — physical, emotional, fi-nancial — is a real problem, she says.“There is insufficient protection for people, especially when a person can’t speak for themselves.”In some banks, she says, if a person comes in that the bank personnel rec-ognize as vulnerable and is with some-

Jean Crowder speaks during a recent seniors forum in Chemainus — one

of five she scheduled throughout the region this winter.

photo: Andrew Leong

A voice for the

agingCowichan’s MP

actively advocating for people entering retirement and the

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one wanting them to sign over or cosign for money, it raises a red flag, and the bank insists on independent counsel.She speaks of a recent event when a senior was discharged from hospital in slippers with no money to get home.So, is there a solution? And if there is, how can it be reached?“We must first raise the level of awareness in com-munities — involve or-ganizations, caregivers, businesses, governments,” Crowder says.Twenty-five people turned out for a recent seniors’ forum in Lake Cowichan she hosted. Follow-ups are slated in Chemainus, Shawnigan and in Duncan on March 20.“I really believe that each local community has to put together a working group to develop strategies,” she says, handing me Metcho-sin’s Age-Friendly Commu-nity Report that came be-fore Metchosin council late last year.The report contains several ideas that could be imple-mented here, Crowder says. “It’s got lots of options and is a good example of what to do locally, a good starting point.”Lake Cowichan people are now pulling together in a

group, she says.“If I can bring people to-gether, that’s a great start.”As well, Crowder is feeding the information she gets at the forums to Opposition seniors critic Irene Mathys-sen in Ottawa.“We want to develop a na-tional strategy — it will be released in about two months,” she said.Crowder has also introduced a bill in Ottawa that would enact a National Poverty Strategy, which she says would have positive effects for seniors as well.

Locally, people can contact Social Planning Cowichan encouraging them to put to-gether a strategy or contact their municipalities. An-other good contact is the Se-niors Resource and Support Society Cowichan.Crowder leans forward to emphasize her next com-ments:“It’s shocking that we are now past the first wave of baby boomers, so the reality that seniors’ issues are wors-ening should not be a sur-prise. We just haven’t done anything about it,” she says.

“The federal government must take leadership on this so the communities can do the work that’s needed,” she emphasizes.She says it’s also important to note that seniors are far more active and engaged than they used to be.Her mother, 81-year-old Bobbie McCormack, is a good example, she laughs.“Among other pursuits, she knits for the local Red Cross, plays darts and three days a week does reading math with kids in school,” Crowder smiles.

Cowichan has many resources for seniors to turn to when they need questions answered or help with an issue. Organizations offer help ranging from where to place your pet if you’re hospitalized to visiting or transporting isolated seniors.These include non-profit societies:Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation’s mission is to identify emerging issues affecting seniors through dialogue with businesses, non-profits and valley residents. They offer a door-to-door volunteer driving program for seniors.Phone: 250-715-6481Web: www.cowichanseniors.ca

Seniors Resource and Support Society offers financial assistance, social clubs, prevention of elder abuse, widow/ers support group, senior peer counselling, subsidized housing, legal resources, grocery delivery by phone.Phone: 250–748–2133Email: [email protected]

For more, see our seniors resource directory, starting on page 33

Help is out tHere


Baan-Do’s Stir Fry delivers exactly what it advertises.Billed as The Healthy Choice, the restaurant at 2680 James Street in Dun-can, has a wide variety of stir fry selections to satisfy any taste.“Stir fries are big things in the cities,’’ said Ber-nard Wong, 54, the own-er-manager of the estab-lishment along with wife Ann. “When we moved here, we saw there wasn’t any restaurants of this type. We decided to give it a try.’’That was back in May of 2006 and Baan-Do’s has been going strong ever since.“We started out with 750 square feet,’’ said Bernard Wong.Expansion increased the floor space to 1,600 square feet.“We started out in a good time,’’ said Wong. “The economy was picking up at that time. I’d say we picked a good time to start.’’Wong was raised in Edmon-ton and lived in Toronto for 10 years before opening Baan-Do’s just a few months after coming to the valley. “The mountains, the ocean and nice weather,’’ Wong said, were the attractions that drew him here.“We were told we have to create our own jobs,’’ he recalled after arriving here. “Actually, now we’re creat-ing jobs.’’Baan-Do’s started with a modest staff of part-time

help for the Wongs. There are now nine employees, in-cluding themselves, and just two part-timers plus another five for Baan-Do’s Too that’s been going for two years next door.

Repeat business has been a godsend for the Wongs and a sure sign of customer sat-isfaction.“That’s what keeps us go-ing,’’ he said. “We’re still doing well.“It’s a very mixed clientele from students to seniors. We even have a large group com-ing in from the Cowichan Tribes, which surprised me. At the beginning, they walked by.’’Interestingly, Wong has found people on the island are really into spicy food.“Back in Edmonton and To-ronto, nobody cares for spicy food,’’ he said. “Back here, it’s 50 per cent.’’I’ve dined and ordered take-out at Baan-Do’s many times and just love all the fresh ingredients. My personal favourite is the Teriyaki chicken stir fry with either rice or noodles.The vegetables are deliv-ered fresh daily from the lo-cal farmers’ market and the

tiger prawns that come from a Richmond supplier are outstanding. They’re large even after being cooked and very flavourful.I also recently tried the Wor Wonton and it’s very good because of the prawns and large chunks of vegetables that make it far better than a traditional wonton.“That has become very, very popular,’’ said Wong.The menu offers a variety of sauces and stir fry styles with chicken, beef, tiger prawns, garlic tiger prawns, salmon — even breaded pork chops.Under the Hot and Spicy stir fry category, the Singapore chili ranks as a best seller.The freshness of each order is guaranteed because you can watch the chefs prepar-ing the meals in the open kitchen concept.

The Baan-Do’s Too side ca-ters to customers who prefer burgers, fries, unique cold drinks and other items. “To-tally opposite, actually,’’ said Wong.“We saw the opportunity with an empty space next door.’’Baan-Do’s style of food has many more followers in the valley now.“There’s a lot more com-petition now from six years ago,’’ said Wong. “There’s two more Japanese restau-rants opened.“We’re still doing very well. I think we’ll be doing well here as long as we keep the quality and get on top of things.’’By the way, the answer to the most frequently asked question at the restaurant is Baan-Do means Vancouver Island in Japanese.

stirring the potBaan-Do’s offers a wide range of healthy stir fry selections

withDonBodger

You’ve got to taste

this

Ann and Bernard Wong are nearing six years of operation

at Baan-Do’s Stir Fry

photo: Don Bodger


When my husband and I first arrived at his 30th high school reunion he was greeted by hundreds of familiar faces, though most names escaped him.“I’m glad they gave us name tags,” Paul said to me. “I just wish they were ten times big-ger.”As old classmates and friends navigat-ed the room recognizing long lost pals and ex-flames, I noticed my husband wasn’t the only one who had forgotten his reading glasses. “Oh, I remember you now!” one wom-an exclaimed after peering closely at the grad picture and name of a man she was talking to.Not wearing a nametag, I was still asked countless times during the night who I was, and often pitied for attend-ing a function where I wouldn’t know a soul. And then there was the guy who felt sorry for my husband. “Why bring a sandwich to a deli?” he asked with surprise when he found out I was dragged along. Good question, I thought, realizing there weren’t as many spouses as I ex-pected.

It never occurred to me that Paul might have more fun reminiscing on his own without worry of entertaining me at the same time.I wouldn’t have minded staying home that night, but I’m glad I went. I met some fantastic people and heard some hilarious stories of my husband’s ado-lescence.I also got to ask the question: “If you could turn back time and knew every-thing you know now, what would you tell your graduating self?”Before I became a mother, I used to ask myself questions like that all the time. But after having a baby, a funny thing happened with my list of regrets: they

vanished the day I held our firstborn child.From then on I imagined that even the slightest change to my past could have led me to a life without him, and I couldn’t bear the thought. The arrival of our daughter a few years later only reinforced my feelings.Reliving the past is something I still like to do for fun, to help me learn from my mistakes and figure out how I might do things differently the next time a similar situation arises. I now have very few regrets, choos-ing instead to view them as character-building life lessons.So, just for fun, I’ll rephrase that ques-tion I was asking the Graduating Class of ’81 to this: “If you could turn back time and knew everything you know now — but would be guaranteed to have the exact same children — what would you tell your graduating self?”I would tell myself to stop being shy, dream big and believe that anything is possible. At the age of 17 I might not have been ready to understand advice like that, but after living another 26 years, I fi-nally do.

If I could turn back time

Lori Welborne

On a Brighter

Note

High school reunion an interesting place to get a fresh take on yourself


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