Suzie Scott, a former Spotlight, enjoying an issue of Senior Scope.

"If life gives you a chance, take it.

If it changes your life, let it."

~ Tarin M.

LETTERS TO SENIOR SCOPE

A Great Story - well done! (Re: Spotlight on Amy Genest)
Letter from Gladys Drew (Re: Spotlight on Amy Genest)
Letter from Jo-Ann Swenson (Re: Spotlight on Amy Genest)
"Love's Wings" (Submitted by Kelly Tobey)

NEWS CLIPS

Province introduces new policy for Universal Access Building Design
Additional $200,000 to AFM for Addictions Prevention & Programming
Senior's complex to receive solar heating
15 month 2002-03 calendar for Consumer Awareness
Are your finances secure?

MISC. ARTICLES

Canada Day origins
Are you eligible for additional Pension benefits?
Some poor excuses not to spay or neuter your pet

DRIVING FORCE:
Is your car ready for Winterpeg… er, Winnipeg?
Do you need a refresher driving course?
Do you have gas? Or is it an ethanol blend?

Daylight Savings
Congratulations Team Canada!
In Flanders Fields (poem by John McCrae)
History of the Poppy
Canada has a new Wind Chill Index!
Small Discoveries
Rodent Rapport
Valentine's Day Origin
History of Mother's Day

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Canadian Diabetes Association
CNIB - Watching Out For You

LETTERS TO SENIOR SCOPE

V1-N35 March 10, 2003

A GREAT STORY - WELL DONE!

Hi: Congratulations to the writer of the Amy Genest Article!

Amy is both my good friend & fellow assoc minister who I've recommended both for ordination & for her marriage commissioner license. We've been friends since she first came to the city and it's been my privilege to encourage/promote her & her ministry.

So I was delighted to get a copy of your paper from my mother in Amber Meadows who told me she had read about Amy in it.

I got that copy & have in turn emailed it to friends of mine who also know Amy & about her ministry.

I was disappointed that you don't have a web site yet to carry & archive your stories. Perhaps in the future?

Again, it was great to see a story that was written as well, as accurately & as sympathetically. There were a few errors - fairly minor - incl Amy's age - she just turned 69 & not 70. She was not too happy about these small errors, but, I told her today when she called me, that, for a newspaper article, it was far more accurate than most I've seen done (on myself & others I know).

Once again, congratulations on an article well done! When I took early retirement from teaching 4 yrs ago, I assumed I'd immediately be able to begin to work on the project of writing Amy's biog, but, it hasn't happened yet, tho I've encouraged her to begin writing down some details for us to begin with & she has at least done that.

Blessings,
Rev. Bruce Yarrow

Coordinating Director,
Bethel World Min. Assoc Pastor, Bethlehem Aboriginal Fellowship

V1-N35 March 10, 2003

DEAR SENIOR SCOPE

I truly enjoyed the March 3, 2003 article on the Evangelist-Minister, Amy Genest. Thank you for such an uplifting story and I do hope there will be many more like it! We need such sensational good news because it gets really old and discouraging reading nothing but the bad news most media seem to be obsessed with putting out to the public.

Thank you, thank you!

Sincerely,
Gladys Drew

March 8, 2003

DEAR SENIOR SCOPE

The article on Amy Genest was excellent.

Thank you.

Jo-Ann Swenson

May 12, 2003

"LOVE'S WINGS" - National Geographic

Submitted by Kelly Tobey

"After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.

Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he approached to knock over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings.

The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast.

Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live."

Perhaps this story can remind you of all those people that have, and do, love you.

And if your belief system includes a benevolent, loving Spiritual Lifeforce, perhaps you will remember the availability of that love as well.

Kelly Tobey
Transformational Facilitator
StarTree Integration Adventures
3310 38 St SW , Calgary AB T3E 3G5
Phone (403) 217-5533
Email mail@kellytobey.com

NEWS CLIPS

PROVINCE INTRODUCES NEW POLICY FOR UNIVERSAL ACCESS BUILDING DESIGN

Tim Sale, minister responsible for persons with disabilities announced that the provincial government will adopt new building guidelines to make facilities more accessible for all Manitobans including those with disabilities. The City of Winnipeg recently became the first city in Canada to adopt its own universal design policy which will be used for building construction where the province has design control.

ADDITIONAL $200,000 TO AFM FOR ADDICTIONS PREVENTION & PROGRAMMING

Manitoba Lotteries Corp. has funded $200,000 in addition to the $1.75 million annual funding to the Addictions Manitoba for four new innovative responsible gaming and rehabilitation pilot programs.

The four initiatives include:

1) Residential Rehabilitation Pilot Program,

2) Developing a Middle School Gambling Education Project,

3) Training Lottery Retailers: to better understand potential gambling problems, and

4) Providing a Casino Counsellor On-Site.

AFM is pleased with the opportunity to implement additional programming.

SENIOR'S COMPLEX TO RECEIVE SOLAR HEATING

In an effort to meet and exceed Manitoba's Kyoto targets, the province has committed to constructing a solar wall at 185 Smith Street to improve energy efficiencies. The new system is expected to be operational by Nov. 30, 2002.

New economic investments, jobs and a cleaner environment are the goals of Manitoba's Climate Change Action Plan. The plan also focuses on developing growth in wind power, geo-thermal heat pumps, hydrogen research and increased ethanol production and use.

15 MONTH 2002-03 CALENDAR FOR CONSUMER AWARENESS

Manitoba Consumers' Bureau, Seniors' Directorate, RCMP, Winnipeg Police Service, Industry Canada's Competition Bureau, MPI and other government departments and agencies partnered to produce a calendar providing useful tips and information on consumer awareness.

Topics include investing, home renovations, telephone scams, vehicle buying, leasing and repairs, personal identity protection, and landlord and tenant responsibilities. The calendars will be distributed to seniors' organizations and consumer groups or you can call 945-3800 or toll free 1-800-782-0067.

ARE YOUR FINANCES SECURE?

Finance Minister Greg Selinger announced that new legislation is now in effect making Manitoba the first Canadian province to give investors greater protection from misconduct or illegal trading practices.

Amendments to the Securities Act give the Manitoba Securities Commission the power to order repayment up to $100,000 when investors lose money because of the improper or illegal conduct of others, (an individual who is registered to sell securities as well as that individual's employer) including investment advisers. Someone who is not registered but is acting in the capacity of a trader or adviser on investment products can also be ordered to repay the investor. The changes mean that investors in these situations can avoid costly legal action to recover their losses.

The Manitoba Securities Commission is a special operating agency responsible for administering and enforcing the Securities Act, the Real Estate Brokers Act, the Mortgage Dealers Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The commission works in the public interest to protect Manitoba investors and to facilitate the raising of capital while maintaining fairness and integrity in the securities marketplace.

More information about the Manitoba Securities Commission is available at www.msc.gov.mb.ca.

MISC. ARTICLES

CANADA DAY ORIGINS

Before 1982, Canada Day was known as Dominion Day, Confederation Day and First of July. On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act created the Canadian federal government.

The BNA Act proclaimed, "One Dominion under the name of Canada." That's why July 1 was orginally called Dominion Day. It was officially renamed Canada Day by an Act of Parliament on Oct. 27, 1982. This change reflected the policy of successive governments to downplay Canada's colonial origins.

source: mywinnipeg.com website

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR ADDITIONAL PENSION BENEFITS?

If you are a senior on modest income, you may be eligible for additional benefits. Benefits are only eleven months retroactive so act quickly if you are unsure.

Call the Canada Pension Plan @ 1-800-277-9914

For service in French, call 1-800-277-9915

For the Hearing Impaired, call 1-800-255-4786

SOME POOR EXCUSES NOT TO SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET

These are some of the worst excuses David The Dogman, World Wide Seniors Guest Columnist, has heard.

1. Just one litter and then we'll have Fluffy spayed. (Studies show that virtually the entire pet over-population stems from the "just one litter" mentality.)

2. Neutering my dog will make him fat and lazy. (Too much food and not enough exercise make a dog fat and lazy.)

3. We always find homes for the kittens. (And that means that an equal number of kittens at the pound will be killed.)

4. Fixing my pet will change its personality. (The main influences on an animal's personality are the kindness and care with which it is raised.)

IS YOUR CAR READY FOR WINTERPEG… ER, WINNIPEG?

Winter is around the corner and now is a good time to get your car ready for the long season of cold and blustery weather.

Below are some pointers:

• Check windshield wiper fluid levels. Carry a spare jug in your vehicle.

• Check that your battery is stong enough for extreme cold.

•Check that belts are not worn or cracking.

• Check that your block heater works, if you have one. If your vehicle was not manufactured for Canada, it may not even have one.

• Check if the radiator fluid needs flushing to maintain an efficient cooling system.

• Check if your emergency survival kit includes a blanket, candles, signal flares, reflective signs, sand or kitty litter, shovel and snack bars. If you don't have one, get one.

• Check that your tires are rated for winter driving conditions. Be sure treads are not worn.

DO YOU NEED A REFRESHER DRIVING COURSE?

FACT: - There are over 4 million drivers in Canada age 55 and older. - Drivers over 80 are the fastest growing segment of the driving population.

Here are some things to be aware of when driving.

• Be sure windshields and rear windows are clean and obstacle free.

• Replace worn windshield wiper blades.

• Constantly watch and observe entire traffic flow. Use rearview and outside mirrors often.

• Keep noise, such as radio, heater fan/air conditioner, to a minimum.

• DonÕt drive if emotionally upset.

• When approaching a stop, never change into the same lane in front of a slowing large truck or semi. They need the distance to stop safely.

• Never drink and drive.

DO YOU HAVE GAS?
OR IS IT AN ETHANOL BLEND?

Ethanol is a high-octane (clean burning), non-toxic, biodegradable, water soluble alcohol produced from renewable resources such as corn, wheat, straw, wood or other bio-materials. It is usually blended with gasoline as a 10% mix to create a fuel called gasohol. Using ethanol blended gasoline reduces harmful tailpipe emissions by as much as 25%. It is also an effective solvent that cleans the fuel tank and line and deposits impurities in the fuel filter. After burning your first full tank of blended fuel, be sure the filter is changed. Then follow regular fuel filter schedules.

Ethanol also serves as a natural form of gas line antifreeze.

Today, it's used commercially to produce food-grade vinegar, food extracts, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, solvents and beverages.

Summary: Good for the environment? Good for the economy? What do you think?

"Regular naps prevent old age… especially if you take them while driving."

~ Anonymous

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

Under the Official Time Act, daylight saving time for the entire province ends on the last Sunday in October and begins the first Sunday in April. In 2002, the official reversion to standard time occured precisely at 3:00 a.m., October 27, at which time clocks were turned back to 2:00 a.m.

CONGRATULATIONS, TEAM CANADA!

An overdue "Congrats!" is in order for Team Manitoba. The Manitoba Society of Seniors provided us with the results of this event.

The team consisted of 48 athletes who qualified at the finals of the MPI/MSOS 55+ Games in Morden, Manitoba, this past summer (2002).

A total of 500 athletes from 7 provinces participated in the Canada Senior Games held in Summerside, P.E.I., Sept. 18-21, 2002.

The results are as follows:

• Myrtle Barnett, of Selkirk, MB, won a trophy for being the oldest participant at 91 years. She also received a Gold medal for swimming.

• Two interlake bowling teams—55+ & 65+—each brought home the Gold.

• The Manitoba Coyotes 65+ Slo-Pitch team also won Gold.

• Contract Bridge players and individual swimming and 8-ball Pool competitors won Gold and Silver medals while golfers brought home 9 medals. TOTAL MEDALS: 9 Gold, 9 Silver, 4 Bronze.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

~John McCrae

HISTORY OF THE POPPY

During the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, a writer first connected the poppy with the battlefield observing that the fields blossomed with the blood-red flowers after fighting ended.

Lieut-Col. John McCrae, who wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields", observed the same connection 100 years later during the First World War.

Before the First World War, few poppies grew in Flanders. Due to the fighting, the soils became rich in lime allowing the poppy to thrive. When war ended, the lime was absorbed and the poppy began to disappear again.

Thus the poppy quickly became the symbol for soldiers who died in battle.

Three years later, American Moina Michael started wearing a poppy in memory of all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in war. In 1920, Madame Guerin of France learned of the custom while visiting the U.S. and started making poppies by hand to raise money for war-afflicted children of the country.

The first poppies were distributed in Canada in November of 1921 and have been keeping the memories of the soldiers alive.

CANADA HAS A NEW WIND CHILL INDEX!

Canada took the lead in an international effort to develop a new wind chill formula. In April 2000, Environment Canada held the first global Internet workshop. More than 400 participants from 35 countries almost all agreed on the need for a new international standard for measuring and reporting a more accurate wind chill that was easy to understand and incorporated recent advances in science. In 2001, a team of scientists and medical experts from Canada and the U.S. worked to develop a new index. The research agency of the Canadian Department of National Defence contributed by conducting experiments using human volunteers. Public surveys were also conducted.

The new index is expressed in temperature-like units and is based on the loss of heat from the face—the part of the body that is most exposed to severe winter weather. For example, if the outside temperature is -10°C and the wind chill is -20, it means that your face will feel as cold as it would on a calm day when the temperature is -20°C.

Since the wind chill index represents the feeling of cold on your skin, it is not a real temperature, so it is given without the degree sign. (ie: -20 not -20°)

What is Wind Chill?

The cooling sensation caused by the temperature and wind is the wind chill.

On a calm day, our bodies insulate us somewhat from the cold temperature by warming up a thin layer of air close to our skin, called the boundary layer. The wind blows this protective layer away-exposing our skin to the outside air and also makes you feel colder by evaporating any moisture on your skin—a process that draws more heat away from your body.

Further information:

Environment Canada,
Inquiry Centre
Ottawa K1A OH3
email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-6767

Web sites:

Weather Forecasts: www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca
Wind Chill site: www.windchill.ec.gc.ca

SMALL DISCOVERIES

In our travels and research we occasionally find little treasures of information. We discovered in the "Services for Seniors Guide to Government of Canada Services for Seniors and their Families" that you can contact someone who is overseas with the Canadian Forces. You can call the Mission Information Line of the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency at 1-800-866-4546 and they will assist you.

What do you get as a gift for those who have everything?
How about a congratulatory message from the Queen, the Governor General or the Prime Minister?

For a message from the Queen for 100th birthdays or over and 60th wedding anniversaries or over; or from the Governor General for 90th birthdays or over or 50th wedding anniversaries or over call 1-800-465-6890 or visit the website, www.gg.ca and click on "Contact Us" at the top and then "Congratulatory Messages".

For a message from the Prime Minister for 25th wedding anniversaries or over or 65th birthdays or over, visit www.pm.gc.ca and click on "Contact the PM" at the top and then "Requests for Special Greetings".

Send in requests at least 8 weeks before the event.

RODENT RAPPORT

In our desire to see Winter come to an end, crowds of people in the snow-laden parts of the world will be watching a groundhog, woodchuck or hedgehog come out of its den on Sunday, February 2nd, in hopes that it sees its shadow. Legend has it that if it's sunny, it does and spring is near. If not, then there will be six more weeks of winter.

Although it is not a reliable method, it is fun to test the traditional prediction of a rodent, to see if there isn't some mystical power involved.

Research shows that Groundhog Day stems from beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe. For centuries, the Candlemas Day, celebrated on February 2nd, involved the clergy blessing candles and giving them to people. Even then, the weather that day had significance and marked a milestone in the winter.

Canada's Wiarton Willie in Ontario made its debut in 1956. Many groundhogs had a turn at predicting the weather. Wiarton's groundhog is said to be 90% accurate because it was born exactly on the 45th parallel, the midpoint between the equator and North Pole, whatever significance that may have.

The 'so-called' original Wiarton Willie was an albino groundhog that had died during his 1998-99 winter hibernation. Just prior to Feb. 2nd, he was discovered and had to be quickly replaced by Wee Willie, and Wee Willie 2 as a backup.

Other famous groundhogs are Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Brandon Bob in Manitoba, Staten Island Chuck in New York, Balzac Billy in Alberta, Gary the Groundhog in Kleinburg, Ontario and Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia.

According to an old Scotch couplet:
If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be twa (two) winters in the year.

The Germans rhyme:
For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until the May.

American 19th century farmers:
Groundhog Day - Half your hay.

If New England farmers didn't have half his hay remaining on February 2nd, they may not have enough by the time spring brought fresh grass.

So, Willie or Won't He See His Shadow?

Our readers don't let us get away with anything. Keep reading…

OOPS! THE GROUNDHOG GOT CONFUSED?

No, Senior Scope got confused. How embarrassing!

You would think that if it was sunny on Groundhog Day that spring should be near. Wouldn't that be the ultimate omen to an early spring? No logic involved here.

Thank you to Georgina Taylor who called and asked when the tradition had changed. As far as she can remember, it has always been that if the groundhog saw its shadow it cowered back into its burrough to avoid the six weeks of winter that was still coming. We told you otherwise, by mistake. But, you'd think that if he saw sunlight for the first time in months, he'd want to bask in it, not run and hide. Time will tell if the tradition holds true.

We apologize for the mixup and confusion. And, thanks for reading Senior Scope and setting us straight.

VALENTINE'S DAY ORIGIN

Valentine's Day is celebrated in honour of a priest in Rome named Saint Valentine who secretly married couples against a ruling of Rome's Emperor Claudius II. Many men didn't want to leave their families so the Emperor banned marriages to alleviate his problem of recruiting members for his army who had to serve for months or years at a time.

Valentine was condemned to death on February 14, 269 AD, (some claim 270 AD as the year) for defying the Emperor's order to ban marriages.

The festival of Lupercalia, an ode to the god of fertility and a celebration of sensual pleasure, followed close after Valentine's execution and the holiday has since been changed to his name in honour of the sacrifices he made.

HISTORY OF MOTHER'S DAY

In ancient Greece during the spring, a day honouring mothers was celebrated by paying tribute to Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. In England during the 17th century, "Mothering Sunday" was celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent.

Julia Ward Howe of the United States suggested Mother's Day in 1872 as a dedication to peace.

Mother's Day is credited to Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia for the official observance of Mother's Day in remembrance of her mother, who passed on in 1905. In the late 1800's Anna's mother attempted to establish "Mother's Friendship Days" to help heal the pain from the Civil War.

Anna campaigned intensely for the holiday and was officially proclaimed to be held on the second Sunday of May by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914.

Displeased by the commercialization of the holiday, Anna tried to legally halt a Mother's Day festival held in 1923 where war mothers sold white carnations—the symbol Anna gave to mothers—at a convention to raise money. She was arrested for disturbing the peace.

Anna died at age 84 in 1948. Up to that day, she regretted ever having started Mother's Day as it wasn't respected the way she had intended. "I wanted it to be a day of sentiment, not profit!" said Anna.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Canadian Diabetes Association:

Be a peer leader in your community to promote a healthy lifestyle for diabetics. Training provided. Call Amanda Macrae, Diabetes Outreach Coordinator @ 223-5408.

CNIB - Watching Out For You

Since 1918, the CNIB has been committed to providing services to Canadians who are blind and visually impaired to help them achieve independence.

All CNIB services are available to anyone whose vision is impaired to the extent that it interferes with or restricts daily living activities. Call the CNIB in Winnipeg at (204) 774-5421 for more information.

Be a Volunteer!

For information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Jennifer Srigley, CNIB coordinator of volunteers, at (204) 774-5421 or via email at jsrigley@mb.cnib.ca (some activities are ongoing, while others may be seasonal, or on an as-needed basis)

Please check back for updates and additions!