May 2010 Thompson Edition - North of 50

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Free PublicationMay 2010 Vol. 3, Issue 5, Publications Mail Agreement 41188516, ISSN # 1710-4750

North of 50

JOURNEY OUT OF DEPRESSION A Common Experience

NORTH of 50 May 20102 Thompson/Nicola/South Cariboo

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NORTH of 50 May 2010 3Thompson/Nicola/South Cariboo

JOURNEY OUT OF DEPRESSION A Common ExperiencePhotos and story by Sherry BennettNOT AN UNCOMMON EXPERIENCE, Wai Hung Ma’s first emotional crisis unfolded in the hallways of a high school after the girl he had fallen for, left him for another guy. As to be expected, the experience left the adolescent feeling sad and with compromised self-esteem. When events like this happen, as they frequently do throughout life, it is normal to feel sad or just plain down in the dumps for a few days, or weeks. But setting Wai Hung’s experience apart from that of transitory blues is that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake off his sadness and pessimistic outlook. With each ensuing crisis, Wai Hung’s negative thoughts amplified to the point where they left him continuously sad, lethargic, unable to enjoy the things he once enjoyed, and ultimately questioning his reason for going on. Severe depression has grown to represent the fourth leading cause of disability and premature death in the world and Wai Hung is one of more than three million Canadians who have experienced a major bout of depression at some point in his or her life, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. Depression falls into the classification of mood disorders – one of the most common mental illnesses in the general population. Other mood disorders include bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder. Because depression hits people hardest between the ages of 25 and 54, the demographic that makes up 70 per cent of the Canadian workforce, unrecognized depression has a tremendous impact not only on quality of life, but on the economy as a whole. Doug Sage, executive director of the Kamloops branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association notes that it goes without saying that the earlier a person seeks treatment for a mood disorder, the better. But this isn’t always the case. Although 80 per cent of the people who receive treatment for depression respond well, only a small percentage of those who deal with the illness actually seek help. Leading one to ask the question ‘Why?’ “Some people, believe it or not, have no recollection of feeling differently than they do,” explains Doug. “The symptoms they experience are their normal. “And many who realize it is not normal believe there is no treatment, the side-effects of the treatment are worse than the condition, that they will be judged harshly if they are found to be ‘mentally ill,’ that family, friends, co-workers, neighbours and employers will treat them differently if their condition becomes known – sadly, these things may often be the case. “Many people feel they are not officially mentally ill until they get a diagnosis, so avoid the diagnosis at all cost.” Doug, commenting through email, postulates that stigma culminates in stereotyping, fear and discrimination, adding that much of the stigma surrounding mood disorders, and mental illnesses in general, has and continues to be perpetuated through the mass media.

“For example,” says Doug, “we can all name people who failed to get elected in our lifetime because they were treated for depression. If Winston Churchill or Abraham Lincoln were running for office today, they would not be elected. Only those who hide their illness have a chance of being elected to public office.” Rennie Hoffman, the executive director for the Vancouver-based Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia agrees that stigma does deter people from seeking treatment. “Those who have mental illness quite often experience signs of it early on in life,” says Rennie during a telephone conversation. “They tend to learn to mask and hide it from an early age.” “Their behaviour tends to differ a little from other people’s behaviour and they receive feedback from society saying that, ‘What you are doing is not appropriate. The way you are feeling doesn’t jive with others so there must be something wrong with you.’ “It gets brought to their attention early on that they have to modify their behaviour. This does not mean that they feel anything less. They just learn to adjust their behaviour. “It’s not until they get to the point where they can’t deal with it [the emotional pain] anymore that they seek help.” Which is how the story unravelled for Wai Hung. Prompted by the loss of some close friends to cancer, and some soured relationships and business endeavours, Wai Hung fell deeper into the depression cycle. And like many others, Wai Hung invested considerable effort into keeping his pain hidden from those around him. “It was very hard,” says the 46-year-old. “I didn’t want to do anything.“It wasn’t until hitting rock bottom that I sought out help for my depression,” says Wai Hung, at the same moment slapping his hand down hard upon his thigh. Wai Hung, who was born in Hong Kong and moved to Kamloops when he was 12, says it was through treatment therapies including counselling, medication and writing that he gained the clarity to view his depression as a medical condition rather than a personal weakness. Optimism has overridden pessimism and behind Wai Hung are those dark days when he wakes up feeling as though he has nothing to look forward to. “Nobody can help you until you want to help yourself,” he says. Born with cerebral palsy, Wai Hung admits his disability factored into his depression, but is quick to point out that his depression was brought about by many things combined. Because of his cerebral palsy, he once believed he was helpless and could not take care of himself. With his dependence on other people grew lofty expectations; expectations for others to provide him with everything, including his happiness. The part-time Thompson Rivers University arts student is now the keeper of his own happiness and no longer expends his energy on trying to change those circumstances that cannot be changed. A talented poet/songwriter from his youth, he now uses his writing and motivational speaking talents to

spread the message that depression need not be a life sentence. Several years ago Wai Hung published a book chronicling his journey out of depression called Breaking Limitations. He spends every opportunity he can delivering his personal story to youths in schools and adults in service groups. “I can’t help people, but I can lead them,” says Wai Hung, who recently produced a bullying DVD which he plans to distribute province-wide. “I can teach people about depression.” Self-identifying symptoms is the first line of intervention in dealing with mood disorders says Doug. “If your symptoms are just starting, look at what has changed in your life. Are you giving up good food for processed crap and junk food? Are you getting less exercise, or have less freedom in your life? Are you isolated more than usual? Make changes to get back to healthy lifestyles. “Talk about it – with a parent, teacher, a doctor, a friend, a colleague, or pastor. Do not accept placating turnaways: ‘Get a good sleep and you’ll feel better tomorrow’ and other such rubbish.“If you are concerned, see someone and soon.”

RESOURCES - DEPRESSION AND MOOD DISORDERS

Wai Hung Ma personal websitewww.breakinglimitations.com/

Canadian Mental Health Association – Kamloops Branchwww.kamloops.cmha.bc.ca/

Symptoms of Depression – Canadian Mental Health Associationwww.cmha.ca/BINS/content_page.asp?cid=3-86-87

Mood Disorders Association of British Columbiawww.mdabc.net/

Mood Disorders Society of Canadawww.mooddisorderscanada.ca/


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NORTH of 50 is an independent, f ree m o n t h l y publication, locally owned, produced and distributed throughout the Thompson /Nicola/ South Cariboo/ Okanagan and Shuswap areas by 0727724 BC Ltd.

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North of 50For the most part, I love my job. I get to meet very interesting and inspiring people. I hear some fascinating stories and sometimes I have the privilege of putting them down on paper. I receive invitations to lots of fun events. I love the travel demands of my job. And I’m not just talking far away places. I travel up and down the Thompson Okanagan every week and I’m familiar with every turn in the road. Still, every week I see something I had missed the time before. But every job has a downside and for mine it’s technology and deadlines. I know my way around computers, almost as well as I know the nooks and crannies of our region. But all the knowledge and the best laid plans go awry when computers crash, presses break down, and internet connections fail. That’s when I really don’t like my job. Panic sets in as deadlines loom and the technology has developed a mind of its own. Failing to meet a deadline is not an option. So, sometimes life’s little curveballs lead to all-nighters at the office to make up for lost time. Despite the temporary stress, there is something to be said for the thrill of having met a challenge head on or having solved a seemingly insurmountable problem. And then, I love my job again! Robbie Burns said in his famous poem, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” We saw that when last month’s volcanic eruption disrupted more than 60,000 flights to and from Europe. Let’s face it, life can turn on a dime. The unpredictability of life sometimes carries with it a lot of pain, but it can also bring great joy. And that’s the theme of this issue of North of 50. We’ve brought together a collection of articles about the unanticipated turns life often throws our way. And what is more unpredictable than the challenges of motherhood? For May, we celebrate Mother’s Day with stories of Okanagan Moms and families. Every parent knows it’s impossible to anticipate exactly what the next day might bring. That proved true for Katherine Mortimer and Scott Pisiak whose heartwarming story about adopting their daughter, Sasha, from China is brought to you in A Wonderful Way to Family, by freelancer, Jackie Pearase. It’s on page 8. Families come in many forms and nobody expects to be raising children after retirement, but author Dawn Renaud introduces us to grandparents raising grandchildren on page 16. The main reason grandparents take over the parenting role is because the parents themselves have addiction or mental health issues. And that leads us to our next topic: the stigma of mental illness. On page 3, Kamloops resident, Wai Hung Ma, tells regular contributor, Sherry Bennett, about his journey out of depression and how he became the keeper of his own happiness. Later in this issue, an anonymous contributor explains how stigma has affected his life. It’s been said that the media has played a significant role in perpetuating negative stereotypes of the mentally ill. There is a lot of truth in that statement. Certainly, mental illness has not received the sensitive media coverage that other illnesses have been given, so we hope that the articles herein are taken in the vein in which they were intended – to educate and to inform. May 3 to 9th is Mental Health Week, and the Canadian Mental Health Association has several events happening in our area. (See sidebar on page 15 for CMHA contact information throughout the Thompson Nicola South Cariboo).

TJ Wallis


After I turned 50, I began speaking and thinking as if I was old. Not really old, but with a self-consciousness that I was no longer young, and in fact was aging. I wasn’t happy about it, and in any number of conversa-tions I noticed myself using

the phrase, “At my age…..”. Aging, I guess, scares many of us, and I was no exception. Then I met Duke Procter. Originally from Lumby, Duke was living in Vernon. I became aware of him after I read of his sky-diving exploit in 1999. It was his first jump and it was only a tandem, but after all, he was a hundred years old. Many interviews and articles later, I knew Duke quite well. He was a veteran of the First World War, could cry in an instant at recalling the sacrifice of so many, and attended every Remembrance Day ceremony to honour the fallen. When he was 91, his beloved wife Clara died and he was left alone. I know how sad that had to have been. They had been together for over 65 years, raised three sons, worked the homestead acres far outside of Lumby, struggled through the Great Depression, and lived together more moments than exist in most lives. For sure, he was heartbroken and there was a period of mourning. But he didn’t give up, didn’t sink into quiet solitari-ness, didn’t forget about life. He continued to garden, to can fruit, to dance, to play horseshoes, and after Clara died he started bowling. He drove his own car until he was 101. Later, at 102 I had him come to my high school to speak to students. He did this for the next two years, and I’m sure that at 104, he was the

While researching an article for next month’s issue on immigration, I came across this comment from a minister in a Dutch Reformed Church: “A phrase from a recent workshop on cultural and ethnic differences keeps coming back to me: ‘a fish doesn’t know that it’s in the

water.’ Those of us in churches made up primarily of a single ethnic and/or cultural group may not be aware of how we show our ethnicity or culture. But those who visit our churches sure are!”

People swim in cultural and social waters largely invisible to them. Inevitably we lose sight of the fact that the way we do things is not the only way, or even the best way. It issimply our way.

Why do you believe what you do? Why do you keep eye contact when listening? Why do you shake hands when meeting someone rather than kissing him or her on the cheek? How do you know some people aren’t trustworthy as soon as you see them?

The honest answer? Just because.As long as we are living with tribe mates in

homogeneous villages, “just because” is good enough. After all, we have shared the same acculturation process, from common myths (except, of course, that ours are true) to direct and indirect instruction on what it means to be a good person. But when we move out of the village, or others move in from far-away villages where they have not learned to be properly human, all hell breaks loose.

Example: When I was studying communication back in my undergrad days, we watched a tape of an

Fish In Water

Understanding Age

Calvin White

Don Sawyer

FAIR COMMENT American meeting a businessman from Ecuador at a cocktail party. Most of the ten minutes or so were filled with predictable small talk about weather, the loveliness of each other’s country, and so on. But what was more interesting was the movement of the two. While the men had started in the middle of an average living room, ten minutes later the American had his back to the wall, his face turned sideways, while the Ecuadorian stood in front of him looking frustrated.

When the two men walked away, the cameraman interviewed each about his first impression of the other. “I don’t know,” the American said shaking his head. “Hispanics seem so aggressive. Always in your face.”

The Ecuadorian expressed similar reservations. “Americans are very distant,” he told the camera. “They think they’re better than anyone else.”

So what was really going on? When speaking, North Americans like to stay “at arm’s length” (earlobe at first knuckle of index finger, or about 2.5 feet, to be exact). In South America, the conversational distance is around 1.5 feet. The result? The Ecuadorian, feeling too far away to be comfortable, stepped forward to establish his comfort zone. The American (no doubt his eyes crossing), unconsciously stepped back to reestablish his personal space.

The two did a little dance until the American was plastered against the wall and the man from Ecuador was left wondering what the hell was wrong with those arrogant Americans.

Here’s a couple more. Our sense of timing in a conversation is very precise – and totally unconscious. In Anglo culture, we wait for less than a second after pausing to allow our partner to add his or her two cents worth. If you wait longer than that I assume you’ve got nothing to say on the topic and

am free to hold forth once again. But what happens when an Anglo speaker converses with someone from another culture, such as an Athabaskan, where the appropriate wait period is two seconds? It’s not pretty. Damned white guys never stop yakking, never give us a chance to get a word in edgewise. And those Native folks? They just stand there silent as a stone. Why don’t they talk more?

Mandarin Chinese uses four distinct tones, each of which when applied to the same word entirely changes its meaning. What happens when a Chinese speaker carries his linguistic pattern over to English? Try saying “Sit down” with a sharp downward inflection on the last syllable. Not very inviting, eh? You react appropriately from your cultural perspective (glower and are reminded once again how rude Chinese are), and he from his (What’s’ he glaring at? Racist.).

We may not be aware of how we reveal ourselves to outsiders, but they sure are. Too often, since they also fish in water, their perceptions may be totally inaccurate. But what choice do they have? Only when we begin to learn more about the cultural water we swim in – and that of fish from other seas – can we begin to consciously alter our ways. With 34 ethnic groups with at least one hundred thousand members each in Canada, abandoning our unconscious ethnocentricity is critical to building a strong and more inclusive country. The good news is we have lots of opportunity to practice.

Don Sawyer is a writer, educator and former director of Okanagan College’s International Development Centre. He lives with his wife in Salmon Arm. You can contact Don Sawyer by email at [email protected] or by mail at Don Sawyer c/o North of 50, Box 100, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0. For more information on Don’s writing and development work, visit his web site at www.northerned.com.

oldest guest speaker that any school in Canada had ever had. Each time he spoke to a classroom of stu-dents he got better, captivating the more than fifty teenagers with the ease with which he moved from one question to another without the slightest hesita-tion, always with clarity and often with humor. I asked him during those years, if he was afraid of dying now that he must be close to the end of his life. Duke looked me straight in the eyes and laughed. He said that he didn’t think about it and wasn’t sure at all that he was so close to the end of his life. Consid-ering that he had already outlived everyone and was still going strong, I realized he was right. Duke changed my awareness and certainly my own understanding of age. He was ageless. Each day for him was a new day. There were no self-imposed lim-its. At his 106th birthday when he had only months before moved into a seniors residence, I came once again to interview him. We went to a more private spot to speak. Before we could start, another resi-dent who was troubled with Alzheimer’s came into the room and was agitatedly speaking to no one in particular. Duke immediately called to her and gently asked what she wanted to tell us. Caught by surprise, the lady simply turned about and went on her way. Then Duke noticed that my son, who had come with me, was sitting farther back from us so he waved to him and invited him to come in closer so he could join the conversation. Even at 106 and on his birthday at that, Duke had such humanity, grace and presence; he knew it wasn’t all about him, that it was about all of us. After he had given up his driver’s licence and no longer could simply hop into his own car to get around, I asked him if he was saddened. His response, “No, I’ve had my turn.”

So now, approaching my 60th birthday I often think of Duke. I am still a young pup compared to him. That’s why it was so easy for me to leave my safe routines in my comfortable home in the Salmon River Valley and come half way around the world to work in a milieu that I had no familiarity with – to work with hundreds of people of all ages afflicted by a ter-rible disease, MDR-TB. I have no language skills and no experience in working with diseases or patients. But among other lessons, Duke indelibly etched in me two essential truths; one, that chronological aging is not an issue and two, the sky is quite beautiful so why not jump.

P.S. I’m now taking aikido classes one day a week. It’s a Japanese defence art based on paying attention to how the body works in order to protect oneself from aggression. I’ve never done anything like it. I’m in a class of twenty both male and female from seven years old up. I’m the worst student by far.

Calvin White is a retired high school counsellor who lives in the North Okanagan. He has over 70 essays published in various Canadian daily newspapers, including the Globe and Mail, the Ottawa Citizen, Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun and Province. If you have any comments on this column, you can write to Calvin White at [email protected] or to Calvin White c/o North of 50, Box 100, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0

Calvin White is currently working with Doctors Without Borders in Uzbekistan, a landlocked former part of the Soviet Union. He will be there for about a year, working with victims of drug resistant tuberculosis and training counsellors to do the same. He continues to submit his columns to North of 50 from there.


Coming EventsMay 4, The North Shore Community Centre Events. Tim Hus & Mike Puhallo Concert - Country Cowboy Music, Folklore & Poetry 7:00pm. Tickets $15, can be picked up at the Front Desk at the North Shore Community Centre - 730 Cottonwood Ave, Kamloops. Call 376-4777 for more information.

May 8, BC Mother’s Day Fashion Show, Bake Sale & Tea @ 1pm, Fashion Show @ 1:30pm. North Shore Community Centre, 730 Cottonwood Ave., Kamloops - tickets $10 on sale now!

May 9, Mother’s Day Celebration at The BC Wildlife Park. Call 250-573-3242 for more info.

Lynda Jones, Falkland award winning potter will be feature artist for the month of May at the Courthouse Gallery, 7 W. Seymour St. Kamloops. Lynda has had pottery chosen for the largest Canadian Craft Exhibition outside of Canada in South Korea, another for the 2010 Olympics Fine Craft Exhibition and a piece for the Best of BC at the Gallery of BC Ceramics. Burnished, wrapped in leaves, smoke-fired pots, subtlely coloured; carved and meticulously glazed functional ware will be presented by this talented potter. New works, weaving, glass, pottery, paintings, baskets, felting, textile and woodworking will be available, just in time for Mothers’ Day. Open 10 to 5, Tues. to Fri., 10 to 4, Sat. Free parking, handicap accessible.

May 10, Kamloops Choristers present River Journey, 7:30pm at the Calvary Community Centre. Children’s Choir perform as guests. Tickets are $10 for adults or $2 for children 12 and under and are available at the door.

Alzheimer Society of BC - Caregiver Support and Information Group - May 13 from 10 am to 12 noon, May 27 from 7 to 9 pm, June 10 from 10am to 12 noon and June 24 from 7 to 9 pm.. Alzheimer Society of B.C. - Central Interior Resource Centre, 543 Battle Street, Kamloops. Call 250-377-8200 or e-mail [email protected] for more information and to register.

May 15, Fundraising Yard Sale, 11 am – 2 pm. Developing World Connections will be sending a small group of volunteers to Rwanda September 4th-18th, 2010 to build a medical post in a poor rural village. This Yard sale will help to raise funds to make this possible! 821 Seymour Street Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kamloops & Region office (They have agreed to support this yard sale by allowing us to use their property!) In the front and back yard! We will be selling all kinds of items at great prices. Hot dogs and drinks available for purchase. 11am-2pm.

May 15-16, Stump Lake Ranch Cutting Event at Stump Lake Ranch on Highway 5. Contact Lynn Graham at 250.374.8882.

May 22, Interlakes Tailgate Sale & Flea Market - 9:00am - 1:00pm, gates open 8:00am. Grounds admissions $1. Sellers $10 per pickup/table. Concession open. Rain or Shine. Sellers RSVP by May 15. At Interlakes Rodeo Grounds (corner of E.Sheridan Lake Rd. and Hwy 24). For info email [email protected].

May 22, 143rd Annual Clinton Ball, Longest running annual event, preceded by a 3 course meal... Period costumes; tickets $75; doors open 5pm, dinner 5:30pm. Location: Memorial Hall in Clinton. Valerie Bissat at 250-459-0055

May 22-24, BS & Drive Weekend at Huber Farm and Equestrian Centre, 70 Mile House. Drivers from around the BC. meet to swap stories, visit, take driving lessons, and go out on country drives. Pot Luck suppers each night. We welcome spectators to join in with or without a hitch. Unfortunately we cannot give rides due to insurance. Contact: Ken or Kathy at 250-456-6050.

May 23, 14th Annual Rough Stock Rodeo at Rodeo Grounds, Airport Rd. in 100 Mile House. Gates open

9:30am, main events start 1pm; bareback, saddle bronc, kids stick horse race, team roping, bull riding; sanctioned by the BC Professional Bullriders and supplied with C-Plus stock; sanctioned by the BC Professional Bullriders and supplied with C-Plus stock. Call Art Young at 250-395-1235 or Email: [email protected].

May 29, Chamber Music: Sketches of Vienna - at 7:30pm, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. Featuring Dimiter Terziev, Cvetozar Vutev, Annette Dominik and Martin Kratky playing Mozart, Brahms and Schubert.

May 29-30, Clinton Rodeo Weekend BCRA sanctioned Rodeo, Parade, Saturday at 11am, Rodeo 1pm, pack horse races; 4-H Steak Dinner (rodeo grounds), Rodeo Dance. On Sunday, Rodeo 9am; Pancake Breakfast (rodeo grounds. Contact Katie 250-459-2172 or for more info check out: http://www.village.clinton.bc.ca/events.html.

May 15th, George Thorogood & the Destroyers at Interior Savings Centre Kamloops. Over 30 Years of thrilling fans with his hard driving Blues Rock. A concert not to be missed featuring all of his hits: Bad to the Bone, Who Do ou Love?, One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer, Get a Haircut, I Drink Alone, Move it on Over and more. General Admission 19 & Over. Floor - Reserved Stands $47.50 GA Floor/$44.50 Reserved Stands (plus FF + C/C). Tickets available at Ticketmaster, or call (250) 374-9200.

May 14th – 29th, Valley Visual Arts Show & Sale . The 16th Annual Show and Sale showcases visual arts of the Nicola Valley. Meet the artists. The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council is generously supported by the City of Merritt's Tourism & Economic Development Committee, and the BC Arts Council. The Courthouse Art Gallery is open Thursdays 6-8 and Fridays & Saturdays 10 am -4 pm. For info call 250-378-6515.

May 15 to Oct. 10, 1-10 pm Merritt Stock Car Club,. Bring the family and catch all the fun and excitement at the Merritt Speedway, exciting action-packed excitement from May to October. Merritt Speedway offers a number of special day and night events including the 17th Bill John Memorial Invitational. Merritt Speedway features a lighted 3/8 mile dirt top oval surface track popular with stock car and funny car enthusiasts. Our club maintains a clean site with secure lighted bleachers that can sit up to 300 spectators. There is ample parking and a play area for the youngsters all setup in a nice safe rural area. Adults $10/Day and Students and Seniors $6.00/Day, Children under 12 Free, Memberships available. For info please call 250-378-5944.

May 21st and 22nd Merritt Walk of Stars. 7th Annual Gala Weekend, 6pm – 12am in Merritt- The Country Music Capital of Canada. Event features a star-studded country music line-up, complete with Canadian headliners and inductees to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Honour. Gala takes place at the Merritt Civic Centre on Friday evening and an outdoor festival will continue on Saturday downtown at the Merritt Spirit Square. For info call 250-315-5851.

KAMLOOPS FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY meets the 4th Thursday of each month at Heritage House, 100 Lorne St., Riverside Park, 7-9 pm (Sept to May) We will have "Breakout Discussion Groups" at May's meeting. Come and join in. Guests and new members are welcome. For info call 250-579-2078.

May 13, Join BC Hydro at the North Shore Community Centre on May 13th at 1:30 PM to learn about energy conservation. You'll discover simple tips and information about energy efficient lighting, creating a Power Smart home, and BC Hydro programs that can help you along, such as the Energy Saving Kit and Team Power Smart. Also featuring a 15 minute video on the History of BC Hydro. There is no charge for this event. May 23, Legion Branch 194, Clinton presents An After the Ball Dance. 8-12:30 pm. Light supper at 11pm. Live Music by Carl & Jan from Kamloops. Waltz, Jive. Polka, Latin and more. Tickets $12/per person For advance tickets call 250-459-7799 or 2142 or 2146.

Chase Legion Branch 107 - Monthly Calendar May 2010

Weekly Schedule:

Mondays: Fun Darts 7:30pm

Tuesdays: Free Meat Draw 4:30 & 6pm,

Games Night, Euchre, Crib, and More 7pm

Thursdays: Crib 7pm

Fridays: TGIF Meals 5:30pm $6. For members $7

Saturdays: Meat Draw $1 a ticket and good for all draws

Fun Darts 2pm, & Pool Tournament 6:30pm.

Sundays other than posted events, Open Mike

is a non hosted entertainment session, Come on out and play

the Guitar, sing, bring your friends and family 3pm.

Special events For May are as follows:

Saturday May 1st Mixed Triples Dart Tournament

10:45 Reg. 11am toe to line.

Sunday May 2nd Giant Crib 10:30am

Friday, May 7th Candle Light Vidal

6:30 pm Assemble at cemetery entrance & parade to the

cenotaph. 7:00 pm Service at the cenotaph

8:30 pm - 12:30 am Dance to Gary Smoch

Saturday, May 8th

5:30 pm - 6:00 pm LA Doing a BBQ @ $ 10.00 a plate.

8:00 pm - 12 Midnight Dance - Sing-a-long

with entertainer Rick Ryan-Lewis, songs from

the 60`s - 70`s Era. Costume is optional.

Saturday May 15th Karaoke 8pm

Wednesday May 19th General Meeting 7pm

Saturday May 29th Legion Garage Sale,

please drop off donations at the Legion from

May 21st to May 28th for small items,

large items are only accepted on the 28th

Sunday May 30th Jam Session 3pm

Gazebo Raffle tickets still available

Gavel Passing Registrations Forms are now at the Legion

All functions are for Members and Bonafide Guests

Come and join the legion new members always welcome.

No Military background needed.

Call 250-679-3536 for Details.

Interlakes Tailgate Sale &

flea marketMay 22, 2010 a 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Gates open 8:00 am

Interlakes Rodeo GroundsCorner of E.Sheridan Lake Road and Highway 24

Grounds admission: $1Sellers: $10

per pick up/table

Rain or Shine a Concession open

Sellers RSVP by May 15 a Phone 250-593-0203


meet on the first Monday of each month. November 2nd, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Green Drinks is a non-profit social group. Topics discussed in the past include gardening, green home building, air pollution, home canning, straw bale houses!Mary Ellen Grant [email protected] or250.371.7172

Kamloops Garden Club Meets every 4th Wed. of the month in Heritage House at 7:00 pm. Jeanette Moslin (250) 372-9669.

The Wells Gray Country Seniors Society meet the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Resource Centre; Third Sunday Seniors Social at 1p.m. in the Munroe Room at Wells Gray Inn; Seniors Book Club meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in the Clearwater library. Contact Lois Geiger, [email protected].

The Kamloops Raging Grannies is a non-partisan group of women who use humor to actively raise the consciousness of citizens through peaceful means to promote positive change within our communities. More info 372-3105.

Tuesday afternoon cribbage at the McArthur park lawn Bowling Clubhouse (beside NorBroc Stadium) at 1:30 p.m. Everyone welcome. No partners needed. Crib, coffee and good company. Call 250-579-0028.

Are you a breast cancer survivor looking for fun, fitness and friendship? The Spirit Warrior dragon boat team is a great group of women who meet Tuesdays & Thursdays at 5:45 pm at Pioneer Park in Kamloops. We are looking for more members, no experience required! Call Liama at 377-8514 or Midge at 374-2566 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

Bridge at Desert Gardens Community Centre, every Tuesday, at 12:30 p.m. 540 Seymour Street. For info call (250) 372-5110.

To all bridge players: We welcome new players to our 12:30p.m. Tuesday gatherings at Desert Gardens Community Centre on Seymour Street. If you know the fundaments of the

100 Mile House100 Mile Legion All-Veterans get-togethers are held Saturdays at 2 p.m. at the legion. Meat draws at 3 p.m. For more information call 395-2511.

Creekside Seniors Centre offers activities for seniors such as pool, darts, bridge, whist, cribbage and carpet bowling. For more information call (250)395-3919.

South Cariboo Farmers' Market - Open from 1st Friday in May to Last Friday in September - Fri 8:30am to 1:30pm. Farm-fresh produce, bedding plants & perennials, baking; local craftsmen including woodworking, painting, jewelry; clothing, baby items, honey, BC salmon, hot food items, and much more... For info call Karen Greenwood at 250-395-3580.

108 Newcomers Group. First and third Thursday of every month at 10:30 am in the Community Centre upstairs room. Meet other newcomers over a cup of coffee in an informal setting. Drop-in fee: $2. Caroline 791-9250.

Spinners and Weavers meetings in the event calen meet every first Friday at the Parkside Art Gallery, at 385 Dogwood Crescent from 10 am to 2pm interest-ed people can contact our president Unni at: http://www.trollheimenweaving.com/

BarriereBarriere Survivors meet 2nd Monday of the Month 10:30 am to 12:30 @ Volunteer Centre. Anyone who has suffered a Brain Injury Ph. Kamloops Brain Injury Assoc (250) 372-1799 ask for John

Alzheimers/Dementia Support Group 1st Thursday of each month from 10:00a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Volunteer Centre on Barriere Town Rd. Phone 250-377-8200 or 1-800-886-6946.

CHaseChase Village Friday Evening Market 4-7 pm. Local produce, baked goods, and arts & crafts.

KaMloopsBIG Little Science CentrePUBLIC HOURS 2009 - 2010 Discover & Explore Fun Science. Enjoy TWO FULL Rooms with over 130 Hands-on Stations. Thursdays and Fridays 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Saturdays 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. With a Special Activity or Show at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Closed Sundays and Holidays. For more information contact: Gord Stewart at: 250-554-2572 or 250-319-0689 E-mail: [email protected]

The newly formed Kamloops Garden Railway Club is looking for donations of large-scale track, buildings & rolling stock for a permanent "G" scale layout at The Kamloops Wildlife Park. Tax receipts will be issued. To donate or for more information on our organization ~ call Hans @ 250-828-1418.

Breast cancer support group meet the second Saturday of the month at Lansdown Village, lower level, 111-450 Lansdowne St., from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call 250-374-9188.

Wonder CafeSoup Kitchen at Mt. Paul United Church, 140 Laburnum Ave. (Kamloops North Shore), serves hot lunch every Thursday from 11a.m. to 1p.m.

Kamloops Ostomy Support Group meets at 7 pm on first Thursday of month at Medichair, boardroom. 210-450 Landsdowne Street, contact for info: Ken at 250-819-0315 or Evelyn at 250-828-6647.

Pottery classes for the Fab 55+. Discover or rediscover the great feeling of creating in clay- Hand building, sculpture, coils or slabs. Held every Tuesday from 1-3:30PM at Heritage House pottery studio in Riverside Park. $5 for non members $3 for members. Free clay is available for small projects and fee covers firing, glazing and use of tools. For more information contact Diane Britt at 573-2604 or 377-8793.

The local chapter of Green Drinks International (greendrinks.org) will

game, you can learn as you go. Call Dave, 250-374-4963, or Peg, 250-376-0250

The Alzheimer Society of BC, Central Interior, 543 Battle St. Kamloops, offers programs and services for people whose lives are affected by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Programs and services include education workshops and information and support groups for family caregivers and for people diagnosed with early dementia. Call 250-377-8200 or 1-800-866-6946.

Interior Authors Group, a group that brings people together who are interested in the art of writing, meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Kamloops Art Gallery, 465 Victoria St., at 7p.m. Call Ted Joslin, 250-374-8910.

Join a fun men’s and women’s a cappella chorus, The Hub City Singers, in rehersals every Tuesday, 7 to 9p.m., at the Old Yacht Club, 1140 River St. Members don’t have to be able to read music. Call 250-578-7503.

Seniors Dance with the Golden Serenadors every second Friday of the month at the North Shore Community Centre, 730 Cottonwood Ave. Admission $4 Call 250-376-4777

PATCHS, a grassroots community-based group working to achieve positive changes in the health care system, meets the first Monday of each month at Kamloops United Church, 421 St. Paul St., at 6:30p.m. Call Rick, 250-579-8541 or email [email protected].

Kamloops Ostomy Support Group meets at 7 pm on first Thursday of month. Contact: Ketina at 250-571-1456.

THE KAMLOOPS FAM-ILY HISTORY SOCIETY meets the 4th Thursday of each month at Heritage House, 100 Lorne St., Riv-erside Park, 7-9 p.m. (Sept to May). Dr. Tom Dickin-son from TRU will speak on DNA in Genealogy. Guests and new members are welcome. For infor call 250-579-2078.

laC la HaCHe

OAPO #176 Pioneer Centre offer several activities, such as pool, bridge,

Canasta, square dancing, contra, rounds, pilates, and general exercise. For more information call Ron 250.396.7298, Agnes 250.396.7231 or Hazel 250.396.7698

lillooetRoyal Canadian Legion Branch 66 737 Main Street Lillooet BC 250-256-7332Meat draws every Friday 5:30-8:30PM Members and Guests always welcome

Carpet Bowling for Seniors, Mondays & Thursdays from 10:30 - 11:30 am at the Gymnasium or Mezzanine at the Lillooet & District REC Centre, 930 Main Street. Drop In Fee.

50+ Fitness at the REC Centre. aerobic style fitness class, Nov. 10-3, 9-10 am, $56 PHone (250) 256-7527

Adult Drop-in Hockey, September through March noon to 1 pm, Mondays and Wednesdays at the REC Centre. Drop in Rates Appy

logan laKeLogan Lake Seniors holds Bingo Fridays 1-3, 80 - 150 Opal, Village Centre Mall. Call (250) 523-2759.

MerrittBingo Tuesdays at 1 p.m. at the Merritt Senior Centre. Rummoli and Pool Fridays at 7 p.m. 2202 Jackson Avenue.

Join the Toastmasters to

gain confidence! They meet every Tuesday at 5:00 pm at the Merritt Library.

savonaJoin us for exercise Wednesday and Friday mornings at 8:45 a.m. OAPO Branch 129, 6605 Buie Road/Savona Access Road. Call Jennier Coburn for more info at (250) 373-0081.

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A Wonderful Way to FamilyBy Jackie Pearase

THE ROAD TO MOTHERHOOD is not always simple and direct. Sometimes it is filled with heart-wrenching twists and bends that test emotional, physical and financial resilience. Such was Katherine Mortimer’s route but the fact that it culminated in a daughter adopted from China means, like childbirth, that pain is forgotten. “It’s absolutely worth every little bit of heartache and anxiety and emotional stress because at the end of it you get this amazing person and your life is changed for the better,” she says. Mortimer and her husband Scott Pisiak spent ten years trying to have a baby. Fertility testing, hormone treatments, in vitro fertilization and a stillborn child after five months of pregnancy all took a toll. Admittedly obsessed with having her own biological baby, Mortimer deeply grieved the loss of her child and resented suggestions that she should adopt. It took another couple of years and a push from an old friend to make Mortimer realize she wanted to explore her options. “Something just hit me. I just really wanted a family. I wanted a child and it no longer mattered that it grew in my belly,” she says. “It was just important that we have a family.” Her misgivings about adoption quickly dissipated after calling The Adoption Centre in Kelowna, where she was treated with dignity and respect. “They were so kind and so nice over the phone that I just started to relax.” The couple began the process for a domestic adoption, going through the extensive home study and waiting to be matched with a birth mother. “We started with domestic adoption because we thought it would be simpler for a lot of reasons. Not the least of which is it’s really nice for the child if they look like their parents and share a heritage.” But when the wait for a call stretched to six months, the couple decided to send their adoption dossier to the China Centre for Adoption Affairs (CCAA). “We kind of knew we’d probably end up going to China,” says Mortimer. “You have to go where your heart takes you. For us, we knew that if we went to China, there would be a baby at the end of the process. Also I’ve always had a huge obsession and fascination with Chinese culture so we knew it would be very easy for us to honour her culture.” They started the Chinese adoption process and received a proposal six months after getting logged into the CCAA. That proposal package contained photographs of a nine-month-old girl described as having a rosebud mouth, loving music and possessing a stubborn disposition at times. It was their soon-to-be daughter – Li Feng. “We were over the moon,” says Mortimer. “It was beyond thrilling to have all this information about her.” The couple travelled to Changsha, China that autumn with 15 other Canadian families adopting children from Chinese orphanages. “We left for China on Sept. 10, 2005. We arrived on the 11th and our daughter was in our arms by about 11 o’clock Sept. 12. It was indescribable.” Mortimer recalls their guide and translator, appropriately named Smile, calling out Li Feng’s name and having the 18-pound, bug-bitten one-year-old child placed in her arms. The moment thrilled Mortimer but the toddler showed more interested in returning to her caregiver from the orphanage. “I felt completely calm and I didn’t cry because we were meant to be together, absolutely without question,” Mortimer notes. Provided with an album of baby photos and a note from her birth mother, the couple took their precious gift home to Canada determined to fulfill their responsibility to themselves and their new daughter. “When we were leaving Beijing going to the airport, I felt quite tearful because I was joyful but also because we were taking a child away from everything she knows and everything that is familiar to her,” explains Mortimer. “That was a huge responsibility. I was very aware of that.” The couple wants to connect one day with their daughter’s birth parents to thank them and tell them what a great person she has become. “People will often say she’s a lucky little girl but I tell them over and over again that we are the lucky ones. We’re the ones who were saved. We didn’t save a child; we saved ourselves,” Mortimer adds. The new parents spent extra time helping their daughter, now called Sasha Li Feng, adjust to her new world and develop a healthy attachment to them. “Because she had been in an institution for a year and she’d already had a lot of upheaval in her life, we treated her like a newborn for the first six months in terms of attachment,” Mortimer explains. They restricted who held Sasha, bottle fed her in their arms and never left her

with a babysitter – all things new parents do to bond with their baby. Sasha also learned sign language to enhance her ability to communicate while she learned English. The gregarious five-year-old is now in French immersion and a key part of her loving family. “She’s very proud of who she is. She knows where she comes from and she knows her story,” Mortimer says about her daughter. “Truly I couldn’t love her any more. That I didn’t give birth to her makes absolutely no difference whatsoever.” Mortimer is now a strong advocate for adoption. “I wish I hadn’t waited so long. I wish I had known that pregnancy and childbirth, while miraculous, are a small part of motherhood. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache and experienced the joys of motherhood so much sooner.” She urges people to research different kinds of adoption and select what works best for them. “If all you want is a family, this is a wonderful, wonderful way to do it.”

Katherine Mortimer and Scott Pisiak pose with their new daughter Sasha Li Feng on the Great Wall of China in September 2005.

Katherine Mortimer enjoys her first evening with Sasha Li Feng, the girl she and her husband adopted from China in 2005.


Heritage Creek Gifts & Confectionary• Books & Journals• British Sweets • Candy Gift Trays• Childrens Clothing• Daniel’s Chocolates• Toys & Games• Clocks & Wall Art• First Nations Art

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Do you have a personal experience story you would like to share

with North of 50 readers?

North of 50 invites you to submit your story for publication. A personal experience story can be about anything. It might be inspiring, funny, scary or weird. It might be about a wonderful holiday or a travel nightmare. It might be about pursuning a lifelong passion, how you coped with a health crisi or a personal loss. It could be a love story, a ghost story or an embarassing tale. It's your story, whatever that is.

Guidelines:Stories should be between 600 and 800 words and be on any topic, but it must be your own personal experience.You must include your telephone number and address. These will not be published and are for verification purposes only.

Please submit your story to: Email: [email protected] or Fax: 250-546-8914 (Attn. Editor)Mail: Personal Experience Editor, North of 50, Box 100, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0

YOUR LETTERSHello,- Just a note to thank you for sending us the copy of North of 50. We are delighted with both articles and picture--the story is truly “told as it is”. Great magazine! Jim & Cathy Brown, Coldstream

Open Letter to Gordon CampbellDear Premier,I just wanted to express my thanks to you for your introduction of the HST for British Columbians. Until yesterday I actually thought I would have some small stipend left in my budget to spend on minor things such as food and heat and light and lodging. But thankfully you have now taken that difficult decision of where I should now spend that money. Your government has been so good at reducing the decision options for B.C. Citizens, particularly Old Age Pensioners ever since you took office. You started off by introducing the Unfair Pharmacare Program, you of course called it Fair Pharmacare, and I guess as it left us with less money in our pockets and more in yours, I can see your point. Then you introduced increased fees for hunting and fishing licenses and park use fees. Of course you did promise that these monies would all go back into the resource. You lied of course. But thanks to you we now had less money to worry about. I won’t go into the Olympics because it certainly makes sense to me that my money is far better spent by you on million dollar parties and brownnosing the hoi faloi by you and your compatriots in crime rather than my using that money for silly things like keeping warm and or eating. But hey, you have my best interests at heart I know. Now you have taken or are taking some $800 million from B.C. Hydro to pay for the big party, and so naturally and rationally B.C. Hydro, which needed the $800 million to upgrade and maintain our power facilities to ensure we have heat and light in the future, why they just increased our electrical rates by 9%, a very tricky back door tax on your part, sneaky aren’t you! But hey, I understand that keeping you in the style to which you and your developer friends have become accustomed to is of paramount importance. Then of course you are taking another almost $800 million from ICBC which over time will result in increased insurance fees, another back door tax. But hey on this one you really solved our problem because with your new tax and the ongoing smoke and mirrors, “Carbon Tax” you are ensuring we cannot afford to drive our cars so we don’t have to worry about car insurance do we? Clever guy! Oh. by the way, what have you been doing with the millions you have raked in on the Carbon Tax? Just a thought, maybe people would like to know where the money goes other than parties and to massively overpaid minions you keep hiring in our health and education systems. And now of course you have solved all our money problems with the grand old HST. I never would have thought of it, no money, no problems. I am looking into having the Federal Government just sending my pension cheque directly to your account and thereby saving us all the middle men and accounting issues. Really appreciate all you have done and are doing to keep us from having to wonder what we will do with all our money in the future. I will be however, working with Bill Vander Zalm as hard as I can just to show my full appreciation for your efforts.Bill Otway, Merritt

TARA WATSON250-299-85121-877-685-1440

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25 - 700 Tranquille Road (Northills Shopping Centre).Deadline for application is May 14, 2010.

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HomeGET WILD AND MAKE AMEMORY THIS SUMMER

ciers - no matter where your adventures take you this season, it's time to get out there and discover what B.C. has to offer.

There is something for everyone in British Columbia's expansive wilderness - from camping, kayaking, and backcountry hiking, to picnicking, educational pro-grams, and wheelchair-accessible facilities. Whether you are a backcountry enthusiast or a family looking for a weekend getaway, every visitor will find some-thing to do in one of B.C.'s many parks, recreation sites and trail networks.

"BC Parks offers more than 10,000 campsites, hundreds of day-use areas and thousands of kilometres of trails as a fun, low-cost way to explore the province," said Environment Minister Barry Penner. "We will be cel-ebrating our 100-year centennial for BC Parks in 2011, and we encourage everyone to get outside this summer and enjoy the recreational opportunities within our

stunning network of parks."

While many of the Province's most spectacular recre-ation features are located in parks, even more recre-ation resources are found in the rugged backcountry Crown land. Recreation sites and trails provide access to B.C.'s backcountry playground. The major-ity of recreation sites are free, while about eight per cent have a small user fee. With over 1,300 recreation sites and 800 trails across the province, you will have plenty of opportunity to get out and discover what makes British Columbia your playground.

Since April 1, when BC Parks launched its new Dis-cover Camping reservation service, more than 16,000 reservations have been made. During the same time period last year, only 10,000 reservations had been made.

The new enhanced service features several new ser-vice and efficiency improvements. For example, more

than 70 reservable parks across the province now offer site-specific reserva-tions for the 2010 season - so if you want to camp close to friends and fam-ily, near a trail or by the beach - you can now select the site that meets your specific needs

If you're looking for a little adventure on the water, there's a lake, river or stream nearby that offers great fishing. You can get your 2010-2011 angling licence online from a home computer any day, any time. Since April 1, close to 35,000 new-season-licenc-es have been processed through B.C.'s online e-licensing system.

For more information on freshwater fishing and to purchase an angling licence, visit http://www.fishing.gov.bc.ca/

For more information on Recreation sites and trails: http://www.sitesandtrails-bc.ca

The Discover Camping reservation service: Reser-vations can be made online at www.discovercamping.ca, or by phoning the call centre at 1-800 689-9025 (604 689-9025 in Greater Vancouver.

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The summer sun is almost here and "get-away season" is right around the corner. B.C.'s rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and dramatic landscapes provide the perfect back-drop to your favourite out-door activities. From camping under the stars to exploring hidden gla-


and AwayThe Natural Beauty of Alpine Helen, GeorgiaWITH ITS BAVARIAN STYLE AND SENSIBILITY, Alpine Helen, in North Georgia, may seem something of an anomaly to hikers emerging from the Appalchian Trail. Old World towers and balconies, German-themed murals and gingerbread trim, narrow cobblestone alleys and strasses and platzes in place of streets and avenues - all the earmarks of an Alpine village are visible against a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But don’t let this German-flavored hamlet fool you. Helen is more than a pretty face: Perched on the Chattahoochee River, Helen and White County sit amidst miles of forested hiking trails, scads of shopping possibilities, a restaurant landscape scented with both traditional German fare and internationally spiced fine dining, and a flourishing arts community. The centre of Cherokee Indian culture prior to 1800, the area would eventually take its place on the “Trail of Tears,” be overrun with miners with the 1828 discovery of gold on Dukes Creek in Nacoochee Valley and decimated by the lumber industry - all before the town was officially christened Helen in 1913 when it was named for the daughter of a railroad surveyor. In 1968, a dying Helen was reborn as an Alpine village, courtesy of a group of local entrepreneurs and an area artist who had once been stationed in Germany. Today, Helen is a thriving village with more than 150 shops stocking everything from European cuckoo clocks to handmade quilts to original works of art to coarse-ground cornmeal from a 1,500-pound mill wheel, plus dozens of restaurants. Higher Ground Coffee & More recently opened and its brewed cuppa is the perfect pairing for the homemade fudge and other sweet confections at the Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen. More than 1,200 lodging rooms are located in hotels and bed and breakfasts in town, in condos on the river and in cabins and villas in the surrounding mountains. Its population hovering at 300 or so, Helen, one of Georgia’s top attractions, has created a unique experience for the approximately 1.5 million visitors who enjoy colorful mountain heritage blended with a touch of Bavaria. Old World craftsmen still ply their trades: Keith Wright, The Bowl Maker, carves hand-hewn bowls and serving pieces; Phillip and Janine Shelby produce handcrafted fine art glass at the Glass Mountain Gallery; Priscilla Wilson artfully renders functional and decorative items and collectibles from dried-out shells at The Gourd Place, home of Gourdcraft Originals; resident potters Emily DeFoor and Betsy Ledbetter work at their wheels at The Willows Pottery; four distinguished potters create both functional and artistic handmade pottery at Mark of the Potter; and master glass blowers carry on the tradition at The Glassblowing Shop. Adding a touch of whimsy is Thomas Carr, self-taught woodcarver and owner of North Georgia Elfworks, who creates green Elfmade Toys using 90 percent recycled materials. Helen is home to two wineries, including the long established, award-winning Habersham Winery

renowned for its Creekstone label, which is one of Georgia’s oldest, and Yonah Mountain Vineyards, vintner of flagship wine 2006 Genesis, one of the state’s newest. Sautee-Nacoochee Vineyards will soon uncork its wines at its new tasting room across from the Old Sautee Store. Mother Nature is a major attraction in and around Helen: There are more than 21 waterfalls, including Anna Ruby Falls; Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest mountain, peaks at 4,784 feet and offers a spectacular view of four states on clear days; Unicoi State Park has a white sand beach with swimming, a 53-acre mountain lake for fishing, canoeing and paddle boating, and a variety of exhibits and interpretive programs on woodcarving, quilting, wild flowers, bird watching and mountain cultural heritage - not to mention hiking, biking and horseback riding. Festivals and special events keep the calendar hopping year-round and include Oktoberfest, which runs from mid-September through November. The longest such event in the South, Helen’s Oktoberfest features fun in a massive Festhalle and beer garden, plus fresh-cooked wurst and a large variety of German beers. From Thanksgiving through December Alpine Helen offers holiday entertainment during a time of year equally well-suited to hiking along the trails to area waterfalls and sitting beside a crackling fire to enjoy winter in the mountains. A natural beauty, Helen is hiker-friendly, too. There is a large parking area at the trail head and locals are familiar with picking up hikers coming off the trail. Hikers traversing Springer Mountain to Helen typically leave their car in this lot for their return. In Helen, hikers may avail themselves of the Helen Soap Opera Laundromat, as well as the post office, where they may have supplies shipped via general delivery. The White County Public Library-Helen Branch has computers hikers are free to use. Sautee Resorts, located at South Main Street next to Subway, offers basic camping and fishing supplies, and Betty’s Country Store has food and supplies hikers may want to stock up on for the next leg of their journey. A strollable downtown with chummy eateries and watering holes - including an old-fashioned ice cream parlor at Scoop de Scoop’s, shops of every description, services and supplies, a Festhalle where you can raise a stein and hear live music during Oktoberfest - plus area arts and attractions and all turned out in Bavarian wraps, Alpine Helen is a festive stopover for hikers.


ONCE THE SUN PASSES the December solstice and begins to bring its warmth back to earth, it is not too early to have spring fever. I watched a squirrel sitting on a limb in the sunshine this morning. He knows that the reason the sun shines is just so that squirrels can sunbathe on limbs. A hawk might consider that the sun shines in order to make squirrels sunbathe on limbs so that hawks can find a meal. Deer, on the other hand, are aware that the sun shines so that they can lie on the south side of open knolls and soak up its warmth. But I know better than they – for I am aware that the sun returns with warmth so that I can stand in the pool of sunlight and feel it soaking its warmth into my body. Philosophically I am aware too that the returning sun is one of the blessings we can count, one of the simple things which, if appreciated, make us more aware of the pleasure of living. To me, the return of the sun, with lengthening days and increasing warmth, also signifies more time for walking. This of course is perhaps a bit old fashioned in a world that runs on wheels, but it is a remarkable fact that the walker rarely goes in the ditch; and furthermore, if you have driven along the same route for a period of years, try walking the distance once and note how much more you will see. Our perception is better based on a four mile an hour pace than on a sixty mile per hour race. Of all the words that describe walking (such as amble, pace, hike, stroll, etc.) I

think I like the word saunter best. It is perhaps because the word was once used to describe pilgrims on their way to the holy land – the expression “a la Sainte Terre” meaning “to the Holy Land” became shortened to Sainte-Terrers, and eventually to “saunter.” What could better describe a carefree passage through fields, meadows and the carpeted aisles of the forest than a visit to the Holy Land? It is not so much that walking has really become out of style – the young are still born with legs rather than with wheels – it is more that we have become out of step with our environment. For it is when we follow the pastoral trail, away from the haze-shrouded haunts of man, that we find the true meaning of recreation – a re-creation of ourselves, of our ideas and values – of that essence of self, a philosophy by which we can live. Here in the timeless temple of the wild, south of Revelstoke, the whirling chaos of thought settles into orderly clarity, just as sediment falls to the bottom of a pool disturbed by a passing deer. The soothing elegance of nature is a powerful unguent that steals softly into the fibers of being and permeates the mind with a gentle healing touch. The famous George Washington carver in one of his speeches said: “I like to think of Nature as an unlimited broadcasting station through which God speaks to us every hour – if we will only tune in.” There certainly is no better way to hear this message than by wandering afield. We don’t have to go to the remotest corner of the Cypress Hills or to a distant peak in the Rockies or Himalayas. It’s in the overgrown back corner of an abandoned pasture; the bushy stream sides; the wooded knolls – each of these is a place dressed by Nature – untorn from her breast. As Thoreau traveled all over the world around Concord, Mass., so we may travel through infinities of learning within strolling distance of towns and highways. We learn to see things by seeing and tomorrow’s walk is always sure to add something that was not seen today. Yes, outside your window, past the edge of town, where overgrown lanes suffering from want of travel turn down toward fragrant fields, eternal streams, or friendly woods, there is a harvest that is waiting to be reaped. It will not appear in dark ink in a bankbook, nor will it put one any closer to the symbolic goal of keeping up with the Jones. This harvest antedates such material values and leaves them struggling in the half light of a nether world. But it is a harvest that will fill your heart with gladness, put spring in your step and vitality in your eye. Not bad, and it’s free!

Bob Harrington lives at Galena Bay, B.C. His latest books are Testimony for Earth and a new edition of The Soul Solution with a foreword by Dr. David Suzuki. See reviews at www.hancockhouse.com or telephone 250 369-2281 for autographed copies, $23.00 each.

IT’S YOUR WORLD By Bob Harrington

Walking is a great way to stay in touch with your environment

MOVIESThe Losers - In Theatres Friday, April 23

An explosive action tale of betrayal and revenge, "The Los-ers" centers around the members of an elite Special Forces unit sent to the Bolivian jungle on a search and destroy mis-sion. But the team--Clay, Jensen, Roque, Pooch and Cougar--soon find that they have become the target of a deadlydouble cross, instigated from the inside by a powerful en-emy known only as Max.

Making good use of the fact that they are now presumed dead, the group goes deep undercover in a dangerous plot

to clear their names and even the score with Max. They are joined by the mysteri-ous Aisha, a beautiful operative with her own agenda, who is more than capable of scoring a few points of her own. Working together, when they're not arguing amongst themselves, theyhave to stay one step ahead of the globetrotting Max--a ruthless man bent onembroiling the world in a new high-tech global war for his own benefit. Ifthey can take down Max and save the world at the same time, it'll be a win-win for the team now known as The Losers.

"The Losers" stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan ("Watchmen") as Clay; Zoë Saldana("Avatar," "Star Trek") as Aisha; Chris Evans (the "Fantastic Four" films)as Jensen; Idris Elba ("Obsessed") as Roque; Columbus Short ("Stomp theYard") as Pooch; Oscar Jaenada ("Che: Part Two") as Cougar; and Jason Patric("In the Valley of Elah") as Max.

Sylvain White ("Stomp the Yard") directed the film from a screenplay byPeter Berg and James Vanderbilt, based upon the comic book series written byAndy Diggle, illustrated by Jock and published by DC Comics/Vertigo. "TheLosers" is produced by Joel Silver, Akiva Goldsman and Kerry Foster, with

Steve Richards, Andrew Rona, Sarah Aubrey and Stuart Besser serving asexecutive producers and Richard Mirisch co-producing.

The behind-the-scenes creative team was led by director of photography ScottKevan ("Stomp the Yard"), production designer Aaron Osborne ("Kiss Kiss,Bang Bang"), editor David Checel ("Stomp the Yard"), visual effectssupervisor Richard Yuricich ("Orphan"), and costume designer Magali Guidasci("Zombieland"). The music is by John Ottman ("Orphan," "Valkyrie").

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Dark Castle Entertainment, a Weed Road Pictures production, "The Losers," to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

The film has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for scenes of intense action andviolence, a scene of sensuality, and language.

The Trotsky - May 14, 2010

Director: Jacob Tierney. Cast: Jay Baruchel, Colm Feore, Anne-Marie Cadieux, Genevieve Bujold, Emily Hampshire, Saul Rubinek

Synopsis: Leon Bronstein (Jay Baruchel) is not your aver-age Montreal West high school student. For one thing, none of his peers can claim to be the reincarnation of early 20th century Soviet iconoclast and Red Army hero, Leon Trotsky. When his father (Saul Rubinek) sends Leon to

public school as punishment for starting a hunger strike at the Bronstein family's clothing factory, Leon quickly lends new meaning to the term “student union”, determined as he is to live out his pre-ordained destiny to the fullest and change the world.


Health MattersWorld No Tobacco DayOn 31st May each year WHO celebrates World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce consumption. Tobacco use is the second cause of death globally (after hypertension) and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide. The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2010 is gender and tobacco, with an emphasis on marketing to women. WHO will use the day to draw particular attention to the harmful effects of tobacco marketing and smoke on women and girls. The World Health Assembly created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and its lethal effects.

Canada Post Increases Commitment to Mental Health Announces Donation of Proceeds From Sale of New EnvelopesCanada Post will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Priority™ Next A.M. and Xpresspost™ domestic prepaid envelopes between April 1 and October 31, 2010 to the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health. This initiative is expected to generate approximately $150,000 for the Foundation, which provides critical funding to community-based, non-profit groups helping people struggling with mental illness. “This is another example of Canada Post’s commitment to mental health,” says Moya Greene, President and CEO of Canada Post. “These envelopes are available at post offices across the country and make it easy for anyone to support the important work done by the Foundation.” Since June 2008, Canada Post employees, customers and suppliers have raised more than $2.5 million for the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health—a growing legacy of support for the more than 7 million Canadians who will need help with mental health problems this year. Over $1 million in grants have been distributed to 19 groups across Canada and an additional $1.5 million will be distributed in September 2010. A new envelope design also spreads an important message – Delivering hope for mental illness – that will create awareness of mental health issues. While funds to support care are essential, it’s also important to eliminate the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. “This stigma causes those living with mental illness to be labelled and stereotyped, which is wrong and hurtful,” notes James Roche, Chairman of the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health. “The message of hope and awareness spread by these envelopes is enormously important.” The donation applies to all domestic, Priority™ Next A.M. and Xpresspost™ prepaid envelopes (excluding Value Packs) from April 1 until October 31, 2010, regardless of envelope design.

Stigma of Mental IllnessAnonymous

When the Editor of North of 50 asked me if I would write about my personal experience with the stigma of mental illness I agreed as long as I could remain anonymous. I am not going to say where I live, except that I live in the Thompson Okanagan. I am not going to say what I do for a living, except that I have what most people would consider a very good job. I don’t want to say anything that might give away who I am, which is completely paranoid since you probably don’t know me anyway. But I’m not taking any chances. I don’t want you to know who I am because it will change the way you act around me - at least in the beginning. You think you will be understanding and not judge me, but you will. I will be the topic of conversation for awhile. Right now you think I am a successful career person, with a nice family and a good sense of humour, maybe a little eccentric. But if you knew I have a mental illness, you would begin to wonder if I’m reliable, if I had a weak character, or even if I’m dangerous. Suddenly, you’ll wonder if I really had the flu last month, or if it was my mental illness that kept me from work. My boss would be completely understanding if I had the flu; he knows I will recover from that. He’d be nervous if I was away because of my mental health. Despite my good job performance, would he consider me for future promotions if he knew about my illness? Like a dyslexic finds ways to hide his inability to read, people with mental illness find ways to hide their condition. It’s a survival skill. My family and a few close friends are aware I have a mental illness, but it is never talked about. Others might suspect I have a mental illness, or maybe they just think I’m quirky. I have been diagnosed and misdiagnosed with every “minor” mental illness under the sun, and a few “major” ones, too. I’ve been told I suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and panic disorder, personality disorder, mood disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and depressive disorder. I’ve got disorders coming up the ying yang. No wonder there is a stigma around mental illness. Even professionals refer to mental diseases as “disorders” as if it’s a character flaw rather than an illness. Even my life insurance costs more than my spouse’s because of my history of mental illness. I’ve been hospitalized a few times, though not in the last twenty-five years, but that stigma of mental illness follows me even to the doctor’s office. My previous doctor chalked every symptom I ever mentioned up to my mental illness. If I broke my leg, I am convinced he would’ve said, “are you sure it’s not ‘just’ your depression?” I know he would never minimize some other illnesses this way. He would never say to a diabetic, “Are your sure it’s not ‘just’ your diabetes? My experience is that this is a pervasive attitude among family doctors, so when I changed doctors, I didn’t have my medical records sent over and I haven’t told my new family doctor that I have a history of mental illness. I want to have a clean slate with an unbiased doctor. When I was younger and particularly vulnerable, I told everyone I had a mental illness. It was my way of

coping and trying to understand my own disease. My “confession” was usually met with fear and rejection, rather than the support and understanding I was hoping for. Now that I am older, wiser and healthier, I have learned to “Fake it.” I tell people now, when and if it is appropriate. In some ways I am dumbfounded by the stigma attached to mental illness, since it is so common. The Canadian Mental Health Association say that one in five British Columbians will suffer from a mental health problem at least once in their lives. Maybe it’s human nature to fear what we don’t understand. I have been asked to speak out about mental illness, but I’ve weighed the pros and cons. I do not want to be defined by my mental illness. Maybe if I was famous, like Howie Mandel or Margot Kidder I would use my celebrity to try to remove the stigma of mental illness, but I’m just a regular person who has something to lose, and so I remain anonymous.

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GRANDPARENTS Raising GRANDCHILDRENStory and photos by Dawn Renaud

WHEN PEGGY STEVENS’S DAUGHTER HAD HER FIRST CHILD, she was still in her teens but lived on her own. She wasn’t too excited about having her mom’s help. Peggy figured she was trying to prove her independence, so she did what she could and gave her some space. But not long after the birth of her second grandchild, Peggy got the call: Come get the kids, or they’re going into care. As it turned out, Peggy’s daughter was dealing with clinical depression. Undiagnosed and untreated, she was struggling to do it all herself. “On top of this her first child—and we did not know this at the time—is autistic,” says Peggy. “Here she is thinking this child doesn’t like her, because she can’t hold him or comfort him.” Jane Howell* had already finished raising her children. Self-employed and enjoying a variety of volunteer activities, she was in a relatively new relationship with Sam when they got the call: Unless a family member comes for your grandchild, she will be put up for adoption. Sam’s granddaughter had been in ministry-ordered foster care for several months, but despite extensions his daughter (also in her teens) had not completed the counselling sessions she’d been assigned. Suddenly plunged into the chaotic world of skip-generation households, Jane and Sam discovered they had plenty of company. Not all of those “slightly older” parents at the playground were actually parents; not every sixty-something grandparent was simply enjoying a “visit” with the kids. Some were raising their grandchildren through circumstances outside anyone’s control, but most often it was through the poor choices of the parents—usually involving drugs. Jane notes that while many teen moms have successfully raised their children, youth was often a factor; drugs and alcohol compounded immaturity for many, and created problems for older parents too. Sometimes children were “dumped” on their grandparents’ doorstep by parents unwilling to behave responsibly, snatched back months later at their parents’ convenience—only to be dumped again. Peggy says some grandparents find themselves battling their own children in court for custody, but without proof the parents are unfit, they won’t win. When grandparents know their grandchildren are being abused or neglected, they are in the unbearable position of having to ask the authorities to investigate their own children. “It’s an easy thing to say, Go to the Ministry,” says Peggy. She doubts she would have taken that step herself. Had she been aware that her daughter wasn’t managing to care for the children, she says she probably would have gone to her daughter’s home more often, been more diligent. It seems likely that’s the choice most parents would make. “But you know what?” she says. “That’s when you wear out because now you’re always over there fixing it all up.” Where grandparents are caught up in this dilemma, there is no easy answer. “I can say that in my experience, the Ministry’s people were very good. They weren’t there to make my daughter out to be a bad person; they were there to protect the kids.” Regardless of the initial circumstances, Peggy recommends grandparents keep a journal and writing everything down. “It’s overwhelming,” she says. “There’s so much to do.” Most children arrive as toddlers, often in diapers. Taking daily responsibility for any toddler is daunting, but many of these

children bring a heavy load of additional baggage; fetal alcohol syndrome, autism, learning disabilities—at the very least, they’re likely to experience separation anxiety and trust issues. Their bewildered grandparents go from agency to agency, trying to ask the right questions only to find employees don’t have an answer, or are restricted in what they’re allowed to say. “I’ve learned more about the system in the last ten years than I have ever, ever wanted to know,” says Jane. “And I still know nothing about the system.” When grandparents raise grandchildren, there’s a major shift in family dynamics. Jane wonders how grandparents manage when they have other grandchildren. “That’s got to be a huge challenge,” she says. Every relationship is altered, including how the parent fits into the family—and the stepfamily. “I think for my stepdaughter, it would have been far easier in many ways if it was someone totally removed,” says Jane, who eventually took on the care of a second grandchild. Although she had nothing to do with the circumstances leading to the children entering her care, she says, “I became the enemy.” Jane also wonders if her stepdaughter would have grown up faster if she hadn’t been able to maintain a relationship with her children without taking responsibility. “We definitely enabled her to live the life she wanted to live, and have her kids too,” she says. “When she’d couch surf at our house, we’d encourage her to parent—give them their bath, read them their bedtime story. She saw it as us trying to force her to stay home instead of going out with her friends.”

Raising grandchildren isn’t a part-time role. “You don’t have a life outside of it,” says Peggy. She and Jane both found it difficult to find babysitters just so they could continue to work. Neither could afford to quit; retired grandparents sometimes return to work to cover the additional expenses—groceries, vehicles that can accommodate car seats, and bigger homes. “Two hundred dollars a month for each child doesn’t even begin to help you when you’ve got

to move from a one or two bedroom retirement complex to a three or four bedroom housing complex,” says Peggy. “Financially, I think it’s a shame they’re not helping grandparents more.” Peggy was eligible for some financial assistance, and she eventually found plenty of good professional help for her grandchildren. Raising a special-needs child can prove an extraordinary challenge.

“I don’t think anybody at 18 can go out and fight the world to get help for their child,” she says, “especially when they haven’t a clue what’s wrong.” Today, Peggy’s daughter is gradually resuming her role as full parent; she lives in a suite in Peggy’s home. “It helps me,” says Peggy, “and it helps her because she can be involved with the kids without being overwhelmed by them.” After several years, Jane’s grandchildren are back with their mom. She and Sam try not to worry, and Jane says it’s nice not to have the daily responsibility. “Grandparents aren’t supposed to have that,” she says. “We’re supposed to be able to take them to Tickleberry’s, feed them full of ice cream, and then take them home and say: ‘We had a wonderful time! Here, they’re all yours.’ ”*Names changed

Not all of those “slightly older” parents at the

playground were actually parents; not every sixty-something grandparent was simply enjoying a “visit” with the kids.


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SUDOKUEach Sudoku puzzle is a 9 by 9 grid of horizontal and vertical rows evenly separated into 9 squares with 9 spaces each. Each puzzles solution is determined by the pattern of the numbers already filled in. You solve the puzzle by filling in the missing digits so that, when completed, each row and each square will have all numbers from1 to 9: each number will appear in exactly nine spaces within each puzzle.Sudoku solution on page 18

Find the words in the grid. When you are done, the unused letters spell out a hidden message. Words can go left or right, top line to bottom line. Words can go horizontally, vertically and diagonally in all eight directions. Answers to puzzle is on page 18.

Word Search &Crosswords

ADDAGEAGEDANTIOXIDANTAPNEABALANCEDBENEFITBIKEBLOODCANCAUSECHOICECLINICDANCEDAYDIETDISEASEEATEXERCISEFAMILYFATFIBERFITFOODGrAINSGroWGYMHAPPY

HEREDITYHIKEHUNDREDILLNESSJoGLIPIDSMENTALMILENOURISHNUTRITIONRADICALSRELAXRISKSLEEPSOCIALSTOPSTRESSSWIMTRAITSUNITVEGETArIANVITAMINSWALKWELLNESSWHOLE

ACROSS1 Greenwich Mean Time4 Royalty8 Oddball11 River (Spanish)12 Ice sheet13 Sandwich fish14 Alternative (abbr.)15 Grub16 Toss17 Lose courage19 Separates hair20 Is21 Saucy

22 First public appearance25 Movie star Taylor26 Promissory note29 Opaque gem30 Second day of the wk.31 Day time tv show32 Miss33 Container34 Armored vehicles35 Brand of powdery surface cleaner37 Annoy38 Eating house40 Granulated44 The alphabet

45 Carved Polynesian pendant46 Estimated time of arrival47 Lite48 To incite49 Hobo50 Cooky51 Cincinnati baseball team52 Pinch

DOWN1 Graduate (abbr.)2 5280 feet3 Children4 Labor5 Solitary6 Cross7 low watt light8 eating well9 Section10 Sticky black substances13 Russian ruler18 Pope John ___19 Brand of dispensable candy21 rhubarb_____22 Cat's nemesis23 Environmental protection agency (abbr)24 Stable25 Tote27 Grows acorns28 United Parcel Service30 Tariff31 Rice wine33 Prohibit34 Features36 Jape37 Vexed38 Pedestal part39 Same cite as previous40 Jeer41 Northeast by north42 Decorative needle case43 Wet45 roof glue

- Russia shoots down Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 spy plane over Sverdlovsk - Harry Belafonte 2nd Carnegie Hall performance- Harvey Schmidt/Tom Jones’ musical “Fantasticks,” premieres in NYC - The Anne Frank House opens in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. - English prince Margaret marries Antony Armstrong-Jones (Lord Snowdon) - President Eisenhower signs Civil Rights Act of 1960 - Leonid Brezhnev replaces Kliment Voroshilov as pres of USSR - Birthdate of Bono Vox, [Paul Hauson], Dublin Ireland, rocker (U2-Joshua Tree) - US atomic sub USS Triton completes 1st around world under water trip - Israeli soldiers capture Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires - The first contraceptive pill is made available on the market.- John D Rockefeller Jr, philanthropist, dies at 86 - Alan Freed & eight other DJ accused of taking radio payola- The Great Chilean Earthquake, rating 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale- Everly Brothers “Cathy’s Clown” hits #1Source: http://www.historyorb.com

50 Years Ago This May

New May Word Search.TXTH D R E G Y M A D E R D N U H V T

T E D A L M E N T A L F I B E R I

I E G A D I S E A S E E L O H W F

F S G S N I M A T I V N C E K I H

E T P O T S C U G N A H P D A Y S

N I S B J S N A O E O T H A T L D

E A T L A I N I L I D S A I E I A

B R R O T N T I C S S S D E E G V

S T E O P I T E A D P E P T R Y E

S D S D R E M I I R R N F O O D G

E E S T C O X P O E G L W L T H E

N C U F L B I E H X S L A A S H T

L N D A I L I E R W I I R I L X A

L A A M N N R K I C C D R I A K R

E L N I I A S M E O I U A L S T I

W A C L C C A U S E O S E N A K A

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2008 Shoprider Deluxe Mobil-ity Scooter, Red, Four wheel model, Like New, Purchased $4300, Must Sell $2700 or best offer 250.558.8792.

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Realistic record player plus radio and tape player with stand and 2 large speakers, excellent condition & sound, $100. Call 250.549.1798.

Universal Bath -tub lift $999.00. Console Model Sing-er sewing machine with some attachments $65.00. Want-ed- 8 track tape player in good condition. Ph 250.838.7093

Sklar 92" Webcoil sofa, clean excellent condition $50.00. New never been opened Bunton binoculars 16x32 $40.00. Bushnell Sportview binoculars 8x30 $ 30.00. Ph 250.832.4019.

Delta 2-speed Scroll Saw $40.00, Bench Grinder $20.00,

Press Drill $20.00, Portable Air Compressor $50.00, Tap/Die Set $100.00, Work Bench $10.00, Small tools $2.00-$5.00. Phone 250.542.4917.

Soloflex Home Gym, used once, includes butterfly and leg attachments, plus two weight strap sets, $999.99. Revelstoke 250.837.3741.

Telex noise cancelling avia-tion headset, brand new, never used, $300.00. Revelstoke 403.836.9908.

New 6" Bench Grinder, $35. Mastercraft belt sander, 4" x 36" W/ 8 disc, $70 o.b.o. 2' tree saw, $5. Ph 250.861.1953.

Maytag washer & dryer, ex-cellent condition. Single steel bed frame and new mattress,

walnut color. Open to offers. Ph 250-542-7118.

1990 Burgundy Toyota Camry, auto, AWD, station wagon, 277,000 kms, good condition, no accidents, for sale by 20 yr. owner, $2500 o.b.o. Call 250.503.0781.

Antique Fresno scraper hitch-less, single bottom horse drawn plow, many 60's Sask. pop bottles, 6 gal. MedAlta butter churn, 2 gal. Redwing stoneware crock, offers. Call 250-503-0781.

Lawn bowling balls, set of 4-older type glenselite su-per grip size 1,$100.00. Ph 250.542. 0236.

HOUSE FOR SALE:

2 bedroom house in sunny Lillooet. $159,000, 1056 sq. feet, 1/2 acre lot, fruit trees, nice view.

Email for more info:

[email protected] Phone: (250) 256-7775

Change to the Motor Vehicle

Act

Driver fitness tests – A change to the MVA will help health-care profes-

sionals by clarifying the medical

conditions or impairments that

affect someone's ability to drive, and must be

reported to the Superintendent of

Motor Vehicles. Occupational therapists and nurse practitioners

have also been added to the current list of

psychologists, optometrists and

medical practitioners who have a duty and authority to report under the act. To

further enhance road safety, the exemption for not wearing a seat

belt for a medical reason is being discontinued,

as current medical advice is that there are no medical reasons to not wear a seatbelt.

The medical community, including

the BC Medical Association,

were extensively consulted on the changes.


WellsBarkerville

Bowron Lakehiking • biking • canoeing • camping

WE HAVE IT ALLWilderness at its best!

www.wellsbc.com1-877-451-9355

1-888-994-3332 www.barkerville.ca


McGill at Summit—the residential address you’ve been waiting for, in the HEART OF UPTOWN!1 bedrooms from $219,9002 bedrooms from $299,900 Another quality project by Culos Developments

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L A N D M A R K O N E

DISPLAY SUITEOpen Daily11am-4pm250.377.4200

Call Frank RossiPersonal Real Estate Corp.

250.319.1072

Attention Home Buyers:

7510 Dallas Drive, Kamloops 250.573.2278 • 1.866.573.1288 EagleHomes.ca

Green-style homes for as low as

New Development in Kamloops!

Backing onto park lands, 8 mins from downtown- Level Entry Crawlspace Home - Fully Landscaped - 10 Year New Home Warranty - High Efficiency SystemsEagle Homes

May 2010 Thompson Edition - North of 50

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Transcript of May 2010 Thompson Edition - North of 50