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THE SENIOR TIMES DECEMBER 2018

Christmas Hamper WISH LIST 2018 2

Gift Ideas 3

Purdys Chocolates Christmas

fundraiser UPDATE 3

Reducing Holiday Stress 4

Caregiver Support 5

Friendly Phone Calls 5

Discounts for Seniors 6

SENIOR MOMENTS Radio Program 7

Volunteers Needed 8

Easy RECIPE OF THE MONTH 9

ASK 9

Golden Age Socials 10

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program

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2019 World Para Nordic Skiing

Championships 11

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 12

Sudoku 12

CALENDAR 13

INSIDE THIS

EDITION

From all of us

To all of you ...

The Seniors Resource Centre will

be CLOSED between December

25 and January 6.

Open as usual

Monday January 7, 2019.

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LOOKING FOR A GREAT

GIFT IDEA?

BOOK — PEOPLE of Prince George—the

Foundation of our Community

This fantastic book was recently released

that provides a glimpse into the lives of

many individuals and couples that have had

a profound impact on our community. This

book is a compilation of articles by Kathy

Nadalin that were originally published in the

Prince George Citizen. It is a very interest-

ing read for anyone that is interested in

learning more about how Prince George has

changed over time from the prospective of some of our long term residents.

All proceeds from the book’s sale are going to the Prince George Community Foundation. The

Foundation has been an amazing supporter of many regional charities and non-profit organizations.

You can pick up your copy of this book for $25 at Studio 2880.

TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED OUR PURDYS CHOCOLATES CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER!

PGCOS EARNED over $570!

THAT’S ‘PURDY’ NICE!

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REDUCING HOLIDAY

STRESS

(From https://www.seniorlivingmag.com/reducing-holiday-

stress/ )

For many of us, December marks the start of holiday gather-

ings and festivities, making it feel like “the most wonderful time

of the year”. Some family caregivers, however, may find them-

selves singing a different tune (think: “he’s a mean one, Mr. Grinch”).

While holidays bring opportunities for joy, traditions and new experiences, they can also bring

feelings of being overwhelmed with caregiving tasks. Stressed-out caregivers may view traditional

holiday preparations as more of an energy drain than a joy. Some caregivers are not able to partici-

pate as fully as they would like in activities they cherish.

If notions of the holiday season are zapping your merriment read on.

Know Your Holiday Hot Buttons Are there holiday activities or toxic relationships that trigger stress or unhappy memories? Are

you feeling grief or loss that overcomes you at certain times of the day? Do unhelpful relatives arrive

for the holidays and criticize your caregiving?

Consider the following strategies:

•Avoid thorny conversation topics when family gathers.

•Limit your exposure to—or even avoid– certain places, events or people. If this isn’t pos-

sible, give yourself extra time to get into the right headspace and always have an exit strategy.

•Find a place, group or person where you feel safe sharing your grief and anger, and other

ways to dispel stress.

Share your wish list Make sure you are on the receiving end of some joy, too, by sharing your wish list. What’s im-

portant is finding a way to relish the holidays without burning the candle at both ends. A little R & R

can go a long way. Ask family or friends to provide respite care or give the person you are caring for

a change of scenery. Making time for you can be as simple as enjoying holiday decorations with

family or taking a tour of the neighbourhood lights.

Be like the Elf on the Shelf There’s a reason the Elf on the Shelf is always smiling—she doesn’t do anything! Perhaps you

can’t sit on the sidelines with a smile pasted on your face, but you can evaluate which holiday tradi-

tions you can realistically take on, which ones you want to continue and which ones you can live

without. Sometimes we do things simply because we always have. Or because traditions are tied

with warm and special memories. If you’re hosting the holiday gathering, give yourself permission to

ask for help with your to do list. Alternatively, suggest a new tradition or ask someone else to host.

Be kind to yourself. Even the happiest elves have moments when it all feels like too much to

handle. Holidays can be emotionally and physically draining. The tendency can be to draw inward.

Instead, try reaching out to your trusted circle of support for a little extra TLC.

The balance scale is going to swing between caring for those in need and caring for yourself;

between loving memories of past holidays and some sadness in remembering the loss of loved ones.

Enjoy some of your holiday favourites and, above all, be kind to yourself this season.

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The Prince George Hos-

pice Society’s Commu-

nity Match Program

provides caregivers for

both your family and

your loved ones. Care-

givers go through exten-

sive training and are

flexible in their tasks to best meet your needs. They are availa-

ble in your home, long-term care facility, or in the hospital as

long as it’s within the Prince George area.

FOR YOUR FAMILY

Our caregivers aim to provide support and help to ease the

stress that accompanies living with someone who is ill. The

volunteer will come to your home once or twice a week for 1-2

hours. They can provide:

A break for you to take time for yourself, while they care

for your loved one.

Non-judgmental and impartial listening

Emotional support

FOR YOUR LOVED ONE

Our caregivers will spend time with your loved one however

they wish, whether it be sitting in silence or engaging in favour-

ite pastimes. They can provide:

Non-demanding support and a presence for your loved

one

Assistance with tasks such as letter writing or creating

memoirs\

Companionship

Assistance with personal care

If you are interested in participating in or would like more in-

formation about the Community Match Program, please call

the Volunteer Resources Coordinator at 250 563 2551.

Community Match is not able to provide transportation for the

person who is ill, nor for family and friends. Volunteers cannot

administer medications. The Community Match program is

offered free of charge.

ARE YOU … OR DO YOU KNOW … an isolated or lonely senior who would ap-preciated hearing a friend-

ly voice? Our FRIENDLY PHONE CALL volunteers can help!

Call PG Council of Seniors 250 564 5888 for more in-

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DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS This sample of available seniors’ discounts has been compiled by Rhonda

Dahler, Sue Lorrie, Jenny Gremm, Marlies Olson and Kristine Shearer. We

hope to have the complete list up on our website www.pgcos.ca in the Spring of

2019.

Send your discount tips to Rhonda_may@hotmail.com.

Please include accurate information about the AMOUNT , WHERE and WHEN. Thanks!

BUSINESS AGE DISCOUNT OFFERS & DETAILS

Bay 60+ 15% 1st Tuesday of every

month

Black Diamond Lanes Toonie Tuesday—3 to 9

pm: each game $2; shoe

rental $2.

Bulk Barn 10% Wednesdays. Request

senior rate.

Hart Drugs 65+ 5 to 10% 5% daily, 10% last

Wednesday of every

month (prescriptions,

food, candy excluded)

M & M Meats 60+ 10% Every Tuesday

Mayfair Gas Plumbing &

Electrical

5% If retired.

North Vines Craft Wine

Inc

65+ $10 off batch. Inquire in

Store.

Rona 10% Last Tuesday of every

month.

Topaz Bead Gallery 65+ 15%

Value Village 60+ 30% Tuesdays

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Listen LIVE — 93.1 FM Livestream — www.cfisfm.com

1:00 to 2:-00 pm every Tuesday! December 11 1:00 pm ` Maddy—PG New Hope Drop In for women

1:14 pm Cancer Institute

1:35 pm Operation Red Nose

December 18 1:00 pm Operation Red Nose update

1:15 pm Mayor Lyn Hall

1:45 pm Salvation Army—Kettle Campaign

December 25

SENIOR MOMENTS Radio Program

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Prince George is never boring! Unless perhaps

you’re staying here from out of town while you

go through medical treatment, and don’t know

anyone! Then you might find yourself wondering

how to pass the time.

At Kordyban Lodge, guests are from all across

Northern BC. Some are here for only a few

days, but some are here for several weeks. We

would like to offer more activities within the

Lodge to brighten their day, so we’re seeking

volunteers to be part of our newly revamped ac-

tivities program.

Do you have a craft or art activity you’d like to

share? Enjoy playing cards, board games, or

billiards? Do you like to organize gatherings

(perhaps a seasonally themed party)? Are you

part of a club that meets regularly to do an activi-

ty that our guests would enjoy?

Ideally, we are looking for a small group who

would come together and lead an activity for an

hour or two, either weekly or monthly, providing

a fun, inviting atmosphere for our guests. Activi-

ties could be done during the day or in the even-

ing, or even on the weekends.

If you would like a regular and ongoing role, we

are also seeking a few more front desk volun-

teers to welcome guests and provide basic ad-

ministrative support for the Lodge.

If you’re curious and want to know more—or if

you would just like to come for a tour of

Kordyban Lodge with no strings attached—

please contact Nancy Shelford at 250 645 2368

or nshelford@bc.cancer.ca. You may also ap-

ply directly through www.cancervolunteer.ca.

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CRANBERRY HONEY MUFFINS

Ingredients:

1/3 cup softened butter or margarine

1/3 cup honey

1 egg

1 1/4 cup thick cranberry sauce (OR slightly

chopped fresh/frozen cranberries*)

Grated zest of 1 orange

2/3 cup milk

2 cups flour

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease muffin

tins OR use paper liners.

Mix dry ingredients in one bowl. Mix wet ingredi-

ents in second bowl. Then mix wet into dry until

just moistened.

Fill muffin cups 2/3s full. Bake 18 to 20 minutes.

ASK

Dear Seniors Resource Centre:

I hear you know everything, but you

won’t know this! My Nan serves Brus-

sel sprouts every Christmas. Tasteless

boiled mushy lumps! It isn’t possible to

make them taste better, is it?

Sincerely, Disgusted on Douglas

Street

Dear Disgusted:

Your dislike is quite common.

Here’s a recipe that will

change your mind about Brus-

sel sprouts!

Ingredients:

4 cups Brussel sprouts

4 cups red seedless grapes

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons fresh Thyme leaves

2 teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Cut Brussel sprouts in halves or quar-

ters. Toss sprouts, grapes, oil and

Thyme leaves on a baking sheet.

Roast until tender & browned—about 20

minutes — stirring occasionally. When

tender, drizzle with Balsamic vinegar.

Scrape up any caramelized bits from

pan. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup toasted ha-

zelnuts or walnuts if desired. Enjoy!

Sincerely, Seniors Resource Centre.

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GOLDEN AGE SOCIALS

The Golden Age Socials are a local tradition stretching back a number of decades, and are held one afternoon each month October through March. PGCOS, in partnership with the City of Prince George and the PG Civic Centre, is very proud to coordinate these events!

These socials are opportunities for local seniors to come out and enjoy live entertainment and delicious refreshments provided by various host groups. These socials are FREE and pre-registration is NOT necessary.

The NEXT Golden Age Social will be: WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2019

2:00 to 4:00 pm SEE YOU AT THE PG CIVIC CENTRE!

Mark your calendar: WEDNESDAY March 13, 2019

THE CHRONIC PAIN SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM is …

… a six-week workshop that helps people with chronic pain to better manage their symptoms and their dai-

ly lives. The workshop provides information and teaches practical skills. It gives people the confidence and

motivation they need to manage the challenges of living with chronic pain.

Groups meet once a week for 2.5 hours, over six weeks. There are ten to sixteen participants in each work-

shop.

These workshops are offered throughout BC at NO COST to the participant.

DATES: Saturday February 9, 2019 to March 16, 2019.

TIME: 1:00 to 3:30 pm

LOCATION: Senior Citizens Activity Centre (425 Brunswick Street)

REGISTER by phone @ 1 866 902 3767

REGISTER ONLINE at www.selfmanagementbc.ca

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2019 WORLD PARA NORDIC SKI-ING CHAMPIONSHIPS These championships, along with the Winter Paralympic

Games, are the most prestigious level of international competi-

tion in Paralympic Nordic skiing. The athletes compete in Nor-

dic skiing and biathlon competitions. The competitions run

from Friday February 15 to Sunday February 24, 2019 at the

Caledonia Nordic Ski Centre (Otway).

Over 250 volunteers are needed to help make this

a successful event for Prince George. We need vol-

unteers for the following roles at Otway: Race Office, On Course, Course Controllers, Stadium, Sta-

dium Marshall, Start/Finish Areas, Timing, Biathlon Range Official, Volunteer Centre and General

Venue Volunteer. We also need volunteers to work around town: Venue/Event Host (Hotels, Air-

port, Civic Centre), Ceremonies/Pageantry (Otway and Civic Centre), Security, and Transportation.

The biggest benefit for the volunteers will be the opportunity to work with some of the world’s best

athletes. Volunteers will receive a uniform (jacket, technical t-shirt and buff) and lunch for each day

of volunteering. The jackets will be for those who commit to two or more days. A nominal fee of

$50 will be charged for the jackets but is refundable upon return of the jacket to the Caledonia Nor-

dic Ski Club.

Want to volunteer? More information is available at http:///www.2019worldparanordic.ca

where you can register online by clicking on the Volunteer Today button … or contact volunteer co-

ordinators, Elisabeth Veeken and Sylvia St Pierre at eveeken@2019worldparanordic.ca to

register.

The schedule of events:

Friday Feb 15 Opening Ceremonies

Sat Feb 16 Biathlon Sprint Competition

Sunday Feb 17 Cross Country Race (Middle FT)

Monday Feb 18 Cross Country Race (Sprint FT)

Tuesday Feb 19 Official Training Day

Weds Feb 20 Biathlon Middle Competition

Thursday Feb 21 Biathlon Individual Competition

Friday Feb 22 Official Training Day

Sat Feb 23 Cross Country Race (Relay)

Sunday Feb 24 Cross Country Race (Long Classic)

And Closing Ceremonies

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MARK YOUR

CALENDAR …

Wednesday December 12 LAST

DAY Seniors Resource Centre accept-

ing NON-PERISHABLE FOOD DONA-

TIONS for Christmas Hampers. (We

need time to sort donations and pack

hampers before Delivery day!)

December 25 through January 6Sen-

iors Resource Centre CLOSED. Will

reopen Monday January 7.

June 7 & 8, 2019 PGCOS

Parking Lot Sale! Set your treasures

aside for us when you are fall and

spring cleaning! Support this GREAT

fundraising activity!

SUDOKU

Every Sudoku has a unique solution

that can be reached logically. Enter

numbers into the blank spaces so that

each row, column and 3x3 box con-

tains the numbers 1 to 9.

SODUKO SOLUTION below:

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November and

December 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

2 3 4 5 GOLDEN

AGE

SOCIAL

2 PM

Civic Centre

6 7

LAST DAY TO

APPLY FOR

CHRISTMAS

HAMPER

9 10

11 12

LAST DAY TO

DROP OFF

GROCERY DO-

NATIONS FOR

HAMPERS!

13 14 15

16 17

HAMPER DE-

LIVERY DAY

18

HAMPER DE-

LIVERY DAY

19 20 21 22

23 24

CHRISTMAS

EVE

25

26 27 28 29

30 31

NEW YEARS

EVE

JAN 1 2 3 4 5

Seniors Resource Centre 721 Victoria Street

Prince George BC V2L 2K5 250 564 5888

theseniortimeseditor@gmail.com

PGCOS