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Publication mail agreement no: 40063603
OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SPRING 2015 | ISSUE 94
TRAVEL
NEWFOUNDLAND
FINANCE
SUCCESSFUL
RETIREMENT
HEALTH
HEALTHY
FEET
Protect your home and auto with an
insurance plan designed for your lifestyle.
Your world is unique…
we insure it.
Call us for a quote today
1-800-267-8000
Group Services Insurance Brokers Limited
Editors Message
SPRING 2015 | ISSUE 94
Editor
CSA Editor
Vice President Art Director
Director of Sales
Account Manager
Director of Operations
Marketing Coordinator
J. Ross Quigley
Bob Slack
Chris Bradbury
Peter Prusa
Neville B. Levin
Fran Castricone
Paula McGovern
Kim Saunders
CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
First Vice-President
Second Vice-President
Treasurer
Secretary
Past President
Director
Director
Executive Director
Legal Counsel
Bob Slack
Jim Sherb
Ron Steeves
Karen Huestis
John Foster
Gerry Brissenden
James Leroux
Nancy Hopcraft
Michael MacKenzie
Wallace Weylie
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Michael Coren
Jennifer Cox
Shari Darling
James Dolan
Barb & Ron Kroll
Dr. Robert MacMillan
Willa McLean
Andrew Moore-Crispin
Rex Vogel
A pristine wilderness! I have been to Newfoundland three
times and I would go back tomorrow morning.
Once the partying on George Street in St. John’s is finished,
an endless expanse of mountains, fiords and lakes awaits
you. On our last trip, we flew from St. John’s to the very
top of the finger where the Vikings landed and, as far as I
could see, where they settled, and then we rented a car. The
food was magnificent and we had not gone anywhere yet.
The ocean is all around you, and rough, and beautiful, and
a little windy at times. We meandered down highways that
were carved out of the cliffs and the scenery was spectacular. We decided that we had to take a boat trip through
the fiords to get a real feel for the land and we were not
disappointed. Gros Morne Park made us feel as if we were
in Norway and we were lost in the wonder of it all.
And we walked. And we met hundreds of the finest and
friendliest people in the world who offered us everything
they had, and more. The history, the little fishing communities at the end of dead-end roads and the unbelievable
meals. These were memories to be repeated.
And we walked. That’s healthy – right? Perhaps you should
read our article about taking care of your feet before you go.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government
of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the
Department of Canadian Heritage.
CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright
Spring 2015 by Medipac International Communications Inc.,
180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5. (416)441-7000.
J. Ross Quigley
Editor
Subscription Price: $9.95 Canada; $20.00 U.S. and foreign.
Single copy: $3.95. Prices include tax.
Published by Medipac International Communications Inc.
Opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not necessarily those
of the CSA, Medipac International Communications Inc. or its affiliates, their
Directors, Officers, or other employees or agents.
Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No: 40063603.
ISSN No: 1195-2393
CSANews | SPRING 2015 | 3
Table of Contents
OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE
CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION
SPRING 2015 | ISSUE 94
18
Features
18Travel
27Lifestyle
Newfoundland
24Health
30Finance
Exploring the natural beauty and hospitality
on the perimeter of Canada’s newest province.
by Barb & Ron Kroll
Healthy Feet
Your body health starts at
your feet!
by Dr. Robert MacMillan
4 | www.snowbirds.org
Amish Country
A continuation of our fall story
on Amish Indiana.
by Rex Vogel
Successful Retirement
Create a fulfilling retirement
in every aspect of your life.
by James Dolan
Table of Contents
30
24
27
Departments
5
Editor’s Message
34
6
Snowbird Alert
7
Bird Talk
35Longevity
by Jennifer Cox
10
President’s Message
Health Pulse
36Fitness
by Jennifer Cox
11Government Relations
Report
37Book Review
12
Snowbird Events
38Food & Drink
13
Canada Clubs
14Insurance
by Shari Darling
40CSA Online
by Andrew Moore-Crispin
by Ross Quigley
16Opinion
by Willa McLean
by Michael Coren
17Profile
42
CSA Application
43Benefits
44Fun & Games
45
Grins & Giggles
46
Fast Facts
Snowbird Alert
Go to the Doctor…
CANADIANS DON’T DO ENOUGH ABOUT
NOW! ONLINE PROTECTION
Travel medical insurance plans
have strict time frames in their
policy wordings for pre-existing
medical conditions to be considered stable and controlled. This
includes treatment, diagnosis and
changes in medication. Get as far
ahead of your stability period as
you can by going to see your doctor
as soon as possible. This way, if you
receive a new diagnosis, need to be
referred to a specialist or need to
make adjustments to your medications or their dosage, you will have
ample time to fulfil the requirement
for your medical condition to be
deemed stable and controlled. This
is your best bet for avoiding a delay
in your departure date when you
head south in the fall.
When it comes to password privacy, Canadians aren’t private at
all. In fact, one-fifth of us have
shared a password with someone
else, and one in seven uses the
same passwords for work and personal accounts, according to recent
findings from a 2014 Canadian
Norton Cyber Security survey.
This makes us more vulnerable to
cyber-attacks.
Data breaches are happening
more and more, and individual
breaches in which cyber criminals
1
Create different passwords for
different accounts. It’s tempting to use
one password, or a variation of one
password for many accounts, however
this behaviour leaves you vulnerable to
attacks. Be proactive and create unique
passwords for each online account.
2
Change your passwords
regularly. People often change
their passwords after hearing
about a big breach in the news,
but it’s not good enough to do this
on an ad hoc basis. Set a time in
your calendar, about every three
months, to change your passwords.
3
Get a password manager. Keeping
track of many passwords is difficult.
Using a password manager can
eliminate the stress and worry of
juggling multiple sign-ins.
try to access your accounts also
continue to happen. According
to the country’s top experts, Canadians cannot sit idle…they must
take an active role in their security.
Here are five steps to increase
personal cyber security:
4
5
Invest in Internet
security software. The
Norton Cyber Security
survey found that almost
a third of Canadians do
have security software
on their home computer.
Installing comprehensive
Internet security software
is the first step to
protecting information.
And don’t forget your
mobile device – think
about the data which
you access on your
smartphone or tablet.
Avoid using public WiFi. More than half
of survey respondents reported connecting
to public WiFi in the last 30 days. While it
is convenient, the open network leaves you
vulnerable to third parties spying on your data.
Canada introduces a new emergency alert system
A NEW, NATIONAL, emergency
alert system is now in place with
the goal of alerting you immediately if a potentially life-threatening event endangers your
community. Alert Ready delivers
public safety messages across the
country through local television
and radio broadcasters.
Developed in partnership with
federal, provincial and territorial
emergency management officials,
as well as Environment Canada
and the broadcast industry, Alert
Ready is operated by The Weather
Network. The system delivers
critical warnings to residents
through television and radio, as
well as through their cable or
satellite service provider. Alert
Ready provides a simple, easily
accessible method to share alerts
immediately, so that you know
when to take action to keep safe.
“From more common alerts such
as tornados, floods and wildfires
to other less frequent, but equally
dangerous events like biohazards
or landslides, the Alert Ready
system is in place to keep audiences
informed of potential dangers,” says
Paul Temple, senior vice-president
of regulatory and strategic affairs
at The Weather Network. “The
system benefits all of us by giving
everyone immediate exposure to
important, life-saving information
allowing them to take action and
protect themselves, their families
and property.”
Canadians can expect the number
and type of public safety messages
to vary from province to province.
Participating radio, television,
cable and satellite companies
will broadcast the alerts that are
most relevant to the communities
which they serve. The scope of
alerts covers the examples above,
as well as such things as train
derailments, industrial fires,
Source: newscanada.com
water contamination and missing
persons; even informational alerts
such as frost warnings. The list is
not limited to weather or environmental warnings.
More information is available
online at AlertReady.ca, including
examples of the alert notifications,
links to provincial and territorial
emergency preparedness resources and helpful videos to assist
Canadians in being prepared for
emergencies.
Snowbird Events
Join us for this year’s Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations
tour! Box office details will be available in the summer issue
of CSANews. The show is free and open to the public, so
be sure to bring your friends!
• SEP • MILTON
ONTARIO
Tue
Mattamy Theatre
• SEP • RICHMOND
HILL
Wed ONTARIO
Richmond Hill Centre for
the Performing Arts
• SEP • NEPEAN
ONTARIO
Thur
Centrepointe Theatre
Event starts at 7 p.m.
• SEP • BRANDON
MANITOBA
Mon
Western Manitoba
Centennial Auditorium
15
16
17
21
Broadway Theatre
• SEP • SASKATOON
SASKATCHEWAN
Wed
23
• SEP • SHERWOOD
PARK
Thur ALBERTA
Festival Place
• SEP • CALGARY
ALBERTA
Mon
Deerfoot Inn Casino Resort,
Chrome Showroom
• SEP • KELOWNA
B.C.
Wed
Kelowna Community
Theatre
24
The producers of Snowbird Extravaganza would like to
thank the following sponsors for their generous support!
Snowbird Extravaganza
The Lakeland Center, Lakeland, Florida
Tuesday and Wednesday, January 26 and 27, 2016
Winter Texans’ Snowbird Extravaganza
McAllen Convention Center, McAllen, Texas
Tuesday and Wednesday, February 2 and 3, 2016
Canadian Snowbird Extravaganza Celebration
28
30
Events from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (doors open at noon)
except Nepean.
Schedule subject to change.
Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, Arizona
Tuesday and Wednesday, February 9 and 10, 2016
2016 dates and locations to be announced.
Bird Talk
 Dear Bird Talk,
My husband and I have completed Representation Agreements in lieu
of Advance Directives. We plan to register these with Nidus. What
steps can we take to ensure that our representative is involved when
we are out of province and, particularly, in the U.S.? Do Medipac and
other carriers typically check Nidus? If we feel strongly about DNR,
for example, should we prepare an Advance Directive under the laws
of the state where we spend the most time as a backup?
CSA Member, Burnaby, BC
Ed.: British Columbia is way ahead of the rest of the world in dealing with elder
issues and, in particular, they have passed the Representation Agreement
Act which inspired Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of People with Disabilities. Nidus is a charitable institution which provides a
registry for a Representation Agreement, Enduring/Power of Attorney, Advance
Directive, Notice of Revocation, Notice of Resignation (for a registered RA or
E/PoA), Advance Care Plan, Living Will and/or the Nomination of Committee.
The original founding groups for Nidus were the Alzheimer Society of BC, BC
Association for Community Living, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities,
Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations, Family Link, and Network of Burnaby
Seniors. I recommend that you have a look at nidus.ca, as they have valuable
information available.
To answer your questions, as yet, no travel insurer would check with the Nidus
Registry to review your wishes. I would personally carry copies of your Directives
with you when you travel and have your travel insurer put a note on your file
that can be found on Nidus. If you travel to one U.S. state regularly, then I would
definitely get a lawyer to draw up another Directive specifically for that state.
This would not be a backup, as any U.S. hospital or medical facility might only
recognize the U.S. one. Everyone needs these critical documents!
 Dear Bird Talk,
We have left our car in Florida. We use it when we go back down
for the winter. I am considering having it re-registered in Florida,
obtaining a Florida licence plate and getting Florida insurance on it.
How difficult is this? What are the implications? We do not want to
return the car to Canada.
Gary Corbit, Nova Scotia
Ed.: In reality, you have imported a car to the United States but failed to notify the
customs people of your actions. This can cause you serious trouble unless you
fix it. Many cars are being imported to the U.S. in the “gray” market, undermining
U.S. sales and manufacturing. Customs can be very aggressive in their pursuit
of offenders. My very first choice would be to sell the car – in Canada – and buy
another one in the U.S. Used cars are usually cheaper in the U.S., in any case.
OR, go to a U.S. customs office and have them walk you through the importing
process. I have found them to be very, very helpful. You will have taxes and fees
to pay, but these are not outrageous. A car built in North America is exempt
from import duties under the NAFTA Agreement; otherwise, a tax of about 6%
applies. You will always have to pay sales tax and licence fees.
 Dear Bird Talk,
I have been given an exit date of March 8, 2015, even though it is far
fewer than 182 days for my stay in the U.S. The agent would not tell me
why. Is there a way to get this visit extended to April 15? Even though
I have never overstayed in the U.S. and have no criminal record, etc.,
I find the way I am being questioned and treated by customs officials
very unfriendly. It leaves me feeling stressed even when I have been
open, truthful and polite, as recommended. I have never felt like that
anywhere else in the world that I have travelled. I’m questioning why
I’m bothering to go to the U.S. when there are many other places
that are much more welcoming. Is anyone keeping track of negative
experiences? I know there is no recourse individually, but surely the
U.S. should be aware of how they are mistreating Canadians. Can CSA
advocate for us?
Louise Mccooeye, Calgary, AB
Ed.: You must leave before that date! This ruling by a border agent has no appeal
process and there is no way to request an extension from this ruling. Length
of stay is determined solely at the discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) officer at the time of admission, as you found out. CSA is keeping
track of both the positive and negative experiences of our members as they
travel to the United States and other destinations. We, along with other travel
groups, have also raised these concerns with various members of Congress.
We remain hopeful that the changes in policy for which the CSA is currently
advocating via the JOLT Act will result in a more expeditious and pleasant entry
process for Canadian retirees.
 Dear Bird Talk,
I was told that if you have coverage (we have six-month coverage NovApr) and we go back to Canada for Christmas, that coverage is void
and we have to reapply for more coverage when we go back to Arizona?
Nikki D., Edmonton, AB
Ed.: You must be very careful about this. Many insurance companies will assume
that you are returning for medical reasons and, as such, will automatically cancel
your policy. This is rarely correct of course, as most of us are just seeing our
kids and grandkids for Christmas or the holidays. Medipac allows “In and Out”
privileges, although you must call us if you have a health or medication change
while you are in Canada. It is also usually cheaper to buy two policies rather
than one long one. You can do this at the same time, even with Early Bird, and
the only “issue” is that you must meet the pre-existing conditions again when
you return after Christmas.
 Dear Bird Talk,
We have owned a home in Florida for six years and are considering
selling it. Can we just bring our furnishings back to Canada?
Claire Jacobs, Wellington, ON
Ed.: The general answer is “yes,” for anything that you have owned in the U.S.
for at least several months. We recommend that you call Canada Customs and
advise them that you are returning with all of your furnishings so that they will
not be surprised. This could save a lot of time at the border. Showing up with
new TVs and stereo equipment in boxes is not recommended.
 Dear Bird Talk,
You have addressed selling a mobile home if you own the land or if
you have a share in the park. My question is, if you own the mobile
home but pay monthly rent for the land, are there any charges or taxes
for the sale?
Ed Fox, Lucan, ON
Ed.: Yes, there are always taxes. Our voracious, greedy governments do not
forget to tax anything. Air is going to be next – it is called carbon tax. Vote
against it, if you can.
 Dear Bird Talk,
Good day. First, keep up the great work on Bird Talk! Very informative.
I recently had an auto accident on my way to Florida. While trying
to arrange shipment of a second vehicle to Florida, I discovered the
murky world of auto shippers. I did consider the drive-down option as
advertised in the CSA magazine, but wonder if CSA can recommend
any carriers that run to/from the East Coast of Canada?
Paul D. Smith, Saint John, NB
Bird Talk
Ed.: Yes, this can be a little tricky. Basically, the drive-away companies want
to have a car to drive both ways so that they do not have to pay for airfare to
get their driver back. This is tough to do from Eastern Canada and costs are
generally pretty high. They dodge and weave a bit hoping to get that return trip
somehow, and that contributes to the murky feeling. “We may be able to…” or
“We can possibly schedule you for...” are normally part of the conversation. I
have found that a family friend works best, as long as he or she is over 25 years
old. There is some risk to your car on the drive down, but it does not amount
to much. Priests and ministers also do a lot of driving for these companies,
so you might want to see if one of your acquaintances would like a free trip to
Florida. Offer to pay for the gas and one or two night’s accommodation with a
plane ticket back.
 Dear Bird Talk,
I keep track of my days in the U.S. and submit my Form 8840 regularly.
But recently, I am hearing that unless I am out of the U.S. for more than
30 days, those days also need to be considered as U.S. days. My time in
the U.S. is usually spread over seven or eight trips throughout the year
and occasionally, I am back in Canada for fewer than 30 days between
trips. How do you recommend I proceed to count days.
Tom Douglas, Alberta
Ed.: The 30-day rule is correct, not that we like it, and that is what you should
file. I would try to structure your trips to be back for 31 days, to be safe.
 Dear Bird Talk,
We typically spend four to five months in the U.S. in the winter. Next
year, in the summer, we are planning a 32-day cruise that originates
in Alaska, goes through the Northwest Passage and ends in New York,
following stops in Newport and Boston. As we won’t have been out
of the U.S. for 30 days, will all of the days count as being in the U.S.
for B2 purposes?
Peter Kilgour, Toronto, ON
Ed.: The simple answer is always “yes.” This sounds like the trip of a lifetime,
so a little restructuring of your normal winter patterns should be worth it. I hope
that you appreciate the irony of a snowbird – who normally seeks the sun in
winter – seeking the winter in summer.
 Dear Bird Talk,
We arrived in the U.S. on October 22 and will be heading back to
Canada mid-December for Christmas, returning in January. At a CSA
presentation, we were told that we must be home for at least 30 days
before returning to the U.S. Otherwise, those days count as days in
U.S. None of our friends pay any attention to this rule when counting
their days in the U.S. We are the only ones we know who are concerned
enough to stay for a full 30 days in Canada before returning south for
the winter months. Is this “30-day rule” being enforced? If we only
stayed for two weeks, for example, could those days back in Canada
be counted towards our 182? I can find almost nothing on this in all
of my searches, so would be grateful for any clarification.
Doug MacLachlan, Alberta
Ed.: We have a letter to INS border agents from the Immigration Head Office
which says that an absence of fewer than 30 days is not considered an absence.
We all know that friends can get you into trouble, too. Perhaps you should tell
them about the B.C. snowbird who was charged $350,000 in back taxes by
the IRS. He was “deemed” to be a resident of the United States.
 Dear Bird Talk,
In your winter 2014, Issue 93, you advised Linda Johnson of Vancouver
B.C. that the sale of her current home “would be subject to capital gains
tax on the difference between the sale price and the purchase price you
Bird Talk
Featuring the letters & concerns of our members
SEND YOUR LETTERS TO
Bird Talk, c/o CSANews
180 Lesmill Road
Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5
or by e-mail: [email protected]
paid, less improvements. Ten per cent of the sale price is required to be
sent to the IRS and you each have to file a U.S. tax return.”
Capital gains I can understand, but the requirement to send 10% of
the sale price to the IRS confuses me. What is this tax for and, if it is
a requirement, what form would be used to report it?
My wife and I purchased a manufactured home in Florida last year.
We pay for land rental in a park. When we transferred the home to
our names, we paid seven per cent tax to the State of Florida and, each
year, we pay to renew the tag. An additional 10 per cent tax (total of
17 per cent) would make this a very expensive transaction when the
time comes to sell in the future.
I believe that a manufactured home is classified as personal property, not
real property. Does the capital gains tax apply to manufactured homes?
D. Wilson, Fonthill, ON
Ed.: Capital gains tax applies to any asset that you sell for a profit, including
manufactured homes. You deduct the purchase price and any bills which you
have for improvements and the balance is what is taxed. Make sure that you
save every bill related to your home, forever. The 10% tax you speak of is what
is called a withholding tax. This is almost always fully refundable when you file
your taxes.
 Dear Bird Talk,
The statements made in the Government Relations report of Issue 93
of CSANews are misleading. I quote the following from the Saint Lucie
County Property Appraisers’ website:
“Amendment 10 (Save Our Homes): Effective January 1, 1995,
Amendment 10 to the Florida Constitution limits any annual increase in
the assessed value of residential property with a homestead exemption
to 3% or the amount of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less.
When the property is sold, the new owner will be assessed at the current
fair market value. Assessment limits will apply beginning the year after
the property has received a new homestead exemption. Exemptions
Persons who have legal or equitable title to real property in the state
of Florida, occupy it, and make it their permanent residence as of
January 1 are eligible for a homestead exemption. There are additional
exemptions available based on eligibility such as an un-remarried widow
or a person with a disability. See the exemptions page for details on
these exemptions.”
A 10% annual limit for Canadian homeowners is a slap in the face
when the locals are limited to only 3%. Furthermore, if you have
to get a Florida driver’s licence, Gov. Scott (FLDMV) requires that
Canadians pay $55 annually for that privilege, whereas the locals
pay the same amount for a six-year period. EEOC would label these
actions discriminatory.
Michael Quinn, Niagara Falls, ON
Ed.: This is all true and there is nothing we can do about it – we have tried. It
is not only Canadians who are selected for this extra cost, but also Americans
who are resident in a different state and everyone else from other countries,
as well. We don’t vote in Florida and are an easy tax target.
Bird Talk
 Dear Bird Talk,
I have been searching unsuccessfully up and down the Internet for
information on where to meet Canadian snowbirds. As Canadian
snowbirds, we would like to interact with other Canadians and have
difficulty finding groups of people that are looking to do the same. We
know about the CanAm days, but we would like to meet people now.
Any suggestions?
Guy Tessier, Brockville, ON
Ed.: Sure; find a Canadian Club to join in your area. Any CSA director can help,
or simply call the CSA office at 1-800-265-3200. I also recommend dropping in
at the local trailer park, condo complex or gold course community in your area,
to see if they have any Canadian activities.
 Dear Bird Talk,
Snowbirds who are looking at renting a house in Florida that uses propane
for heating a pool should be very careful. Although some people claim
that heating a pool with propane is similar in cost to that for hydro,
propane rates from propane suppliers vary widely based on a home’s
annual usage volume. For example, the propane charge for one house
here in Florida was $6.33 per gallon and the heater uses three to four
gallons per hour. That results in an approximately $20 per hour charge
for heating the pool.
Ian Taylor, Huntsville, ON
Ed.: We use propane to heat our pool in Florida and it is very inexpensive. Rates
vary dramatically based on your location. Always check prices for the basics
before renting or buying and, if renting, try to have that included in the price.
 Dear Bird Talk,
I wish to complain about your irritating, loud commercial that is repeated
on BNN, last aired at 6:55 mtn time, January 2. The beeping is overly
loud. I will never buy your product because of this commercial. If this
is not toned down, I will complain to the CRTC.
Tom Gosche, Edmonton, AB
Ed.: We are always happy to hear your opinion. We thought that the commercial
was kind of cute and a little provocative. It seems to have really provoked you,
obviously. As to the loud beeps, we have no control over that. We have dealt
with false complaints with every government agency in Canada, all filed by our
competitors, but the CRTC would be a first. But first, you have to tell us why we
should spend our time doing political dances with the CRTC rather than taking care
of the medical emergencies with which we must deal every day of our lives. My
guess is that you have never bought our product anyway – that is your mistake.
 Dear Bird Talk,
Your commercial with the horseshoes, lucky clovers, etc. is repulsive and
makes travelling look like an extremely unpleasant experience where
you have to interact with creepy people.
If I were you, and selling travel insurance, I would be trying to make
travelling look like a pleasant experience that people would like to do
more of. Instead, you’re encouraging me, and probably others, to stay
home in front of our beautiful, cozy televisions where we don’t have to
be subject to questions from overbearing security officials.
I’m sure your advertising agency convinced you that customers would
see the humour in their approach. They’re wrong.
L.J. Duncan
Ed.: We hope the unpleasantness only relates to travel without proper insurance.
Yes, they did convince us and we knew that some people would be offended. I
was not particularly happy with it either, as we have spent 30 years doing exactly
what you suggest – showing happy people and happy travellers at happy and
fun locations. It was time to at least try a different approach to the TV ads and
we did raise awareness of Medipac Travel Insurance by quite a margin. Will this
ad return? I doubt it.
 Dear Bird Talk,
I have a question that hopefully, you can answer. Why do insurance
companies that provide outside-of-Canada health insurance have you
pay a higher premium for health insurance if you have a change in
medication, with higher or lower dose, and you are deemed unstable
for 180 days and you are not covered for this ailment?
John Young, Olds, AB
Ed.: You should NEVER buy insurance that does not insure you for the illnesses
which you have. It’s like buying tires for your car, but you do not own one. Basically,
what these insurers are saying to you is that because you have this unstable
condition, you are at higher risk to have other problems and should, therefore,
pay more. If you have stomach cramps, for instance, and you have one driving
a car, your risk is far higher than a normal person; if you have a heart issue and
someone startles you, you could have a heart attack, etc. The medication change
also presents many opportunities for side-effects as your body has not adjusted
to the new drug regimen yet. I would find a 90-day pre-ex clause like the one
offered by Medipac.
 Dear Bird Talk,
This may be old hat to experienced snowbirds, but it was news to us.
We are newbie snowbirds planning to spend February through April
in South Carolina. We put our second car into storage and removed all
but comprehensive insurance; the resultant savings paid for the storage
fees three times over. So our car is stored safely and, in effect, ‘for free’.
Gary Myers, Aylesford, NS
Ed.: This is called “removing the driving coverages” and it is very cost-effective.
An added bonus is that your agent has now been advised that you and your other
car will be in the U.S. for several months. This will avoid claims issues, should
you have that fender-bender in the U.S.
 Dear Bird Talk,
My wife has been undergoing chemo and radiation treatments in Florida.
These treatments have consumed most of the six months on our visa.
There are now followup scans and consolidation chemo treatments.
How do we get an extension to the six-month visa?
David Woodruff, Ontario
Ed.: We have found that the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) has
been very helpful when dealing with compassionate issues. I suggest that you
call the local office, tell them your story and ask for an extension of your verbal
B2 visa. They should guide you through the process and I am almost certain that
you will get approval. Make sure that you keep copies of your request with you.
 Dear Bird Talk,
In the fall 2014 Issue 92, the Vice President states that the data for
individuals crossing from Canada into the U.S. is not yet exchanged
between the two countries. While Googling this question on the Internet,
I found that many references are made to reflect that they “do exchange”
the information. Can you tell me what the status is?
Louise Belisle, Cumberland, ON
Ed.: That is correct; the formal implementation has been delayed. But they are
testing and refining the processes during this ramp-up period, so I would act
accordingly.
 Dear Bird Talk,
I saw this on Facebook this a.m. Is it true? Don Peddle posted: Yesterday
Bird Talk
morning, I dropped off a buddy at the airport to fly to the states. When
he got to Newark customs, they refused to let him into the states. The
reason was that he had an impaired charge 32 years ago. Ten years ago,
he got an official pardon from the Canadian government. Guess what?
No good. They require you to have a U.S. waiver in order to get into the
states. It all changed as of January 1, he was told. So any little charge
and you will be turned back. I suggest that anybody who has a vacation
booked to the states who had a little incident with the law years ago call
and get the waiver papers fixed up, or you’re going to be disappointed at
customs. You would think that the travel agents would inform people
of the changes. A pardon is no good. You need a waiver from the U.S.
Consulate. And that’s in Halifax. You can get the papers, but it takes
up to four or five weeks. You could go last year with no problem. But
the guy told my friend that the law has changed. If you know anybody
going south, let them know.
Elizabeth Ferrie, Newfoundland
Ed.: More good advice! Hopefully, everyone knows that if you have a criminal
record, you will not be allowed to enter the U.S. This is a big educational point for
your children and grandchildren, to keep them on that straight and narrow path.
 Dear Bird Talk,
Please advise. If I wish to stay in the U.S. for 150 days every year, am I
allowed to do that? And if I file form 8840 every year accordingly, do I
still have to pay U.S. income tax on worldwide income? (This is assuming
that I earn no income whatsoever in the U.S.)
Lan Huong Nguyen, B.C.
Ed.: You are allowed to visit the United States for up to six months in any 12-month
period. That does not mean a calendar year…it is ANY 12-month period. So the
answer to the first question is “yes.” If you file the 8840 every year, you will not
have to pay U.S. taxes as you have declared yourself as a Canadian resident or
stated your “closer connection” to Canada on the 8840. You do NOT have to pay
tax in the U.S. at all.
 Dear Bird Talk,
I just read a blog that indicated that CSA says that we can stay for 183
days + 30 days if we own property and are over 55. Is this correct?
Terry Olson, Kamloops, BC
Ed.: This is very wrong! There is a lot of misinformation in the blogosphere. You are
allowed to stay for six months in any 12-month period if the border guard agrees
to this at your crossing point. They normally do! Owning property and being over
55 would be possible terms for the new Snowbird Visa we are working on, but
the term would probably be eight months in any 12-month period.
 Dear Bird Talk,
Anyone who decides, like I did this year, to have their Medipac travel
insurance take effect after their 40-day federal coverage expires, be
warned. Should any illness occur during the 40-day federal coverage,
you will not be covered if your medical expenses extend into Medipac
coverage area. They opt out, using the 90-day exclusion for any illness
prior to their insurance taking effect. I assumed that the 90 days applied
to a condition which occurred prior to your trip. What is one expected to
do if they are in the U.S. and are told that they are no longer covered. I was
never warned of this possibility. Even though I was a Medipac customer
for 10+ years without a claim, they dropped me like a lead balloon.
Tyrone Henley, Kentville, NS
Ed.: Come on, Tyrone, we did not drop you like a lead balloon; you just finally read
your policy. We have no idea where you were or whether you had insurance or
knew anything else about you until our policy started. We have a generous 90-day
pre-existing condition clause and it starts when our policy starts or when you
cross your provincial border, whichever is later. Anyone who has a claim during
their federal coverage period will have that claim paid by the federal plan, even if
expenses and/or hospitalization continue into the Medipac top-up period. When you
have that claim, you must call Medipac to make sure that your top-up coverage
still works for you, and we can usually make that happen. It may be referred to
our underwriting department for approval, so save your medical records.
 Dear Bird Talk,
In your last newsletter, there was an ad for the Canadian company
called “Roam.” Does CSA endorse this cell phone company? Has CSA
in the past investigated and recommended smart phone plans to their
members who use text, talk and data in the U.S. If not, why not? Thanks
in advance for your reply.
Paul Wilke, Regina, SK
Ed.: At CSANews, we try to monitor our advertisers and we also try to do the
same for our Extravaganzas. These advertisers are NOT endorsed by the CSA
unless it says so in the ad. We have ejected three or four groups from our shows
for misrepresenting themselves at the time of booking and, in fact, are fighting
one of them in court right now. We expect to win, but who knows? Roam bought
an ad, that is all, and we have had no complaints about their service.
 Dear Bird Talk,
I am spending five months in Florida each year and wish to take a
two-week vacation in Mexico. Is this deducted from my 182-day limit?
Anthony Simpson, Tiny, ON
Ed.: No! Only days in the United States will count, unless you leave from the U.S.
in the middle of your five-month trip.
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President’s Message
Bob Slack
CSA President
S
pring has arrived and it’s time to get our Canadian
homes in shape for the warm weather. Lois and I
spent another busy winter travelling throughout
Florida and the southwestern United States.
Edward Island will be the latest to have gone to the polls
to elect new provincial governments. CSA staff have
produced helpful election handbooks (as they do for all
federal/provincial/territorial elections) to give you the
tools needed to effectively question your local candidates
Our tour began at the annual Snowbird Extravaganza when they knock on your door seeking your vote. The
in Lakeland, Florida. Despite the recent struggle of the handbooks include a great deal of useful voting inforCanadian dollar, you wouldn’t have known it from the mation including dates of advance polls, identification
size of the crowds descending upon the Lakeland Center. requirements and voter registration requirements. In
From there, we made stops in McAllen, Texas for the short, they are handy, one-stop-shopping tools which
Winter Texans’ Snowbird Extravaganza and Mesa, Ari- help ensure that you cast an informed vote with respect
zona for the annual Canadian Snowbird Celebration. to snowbird issues. Handbooks are both mailed and
Packed venues, hundreds of new memberships sold, e-mailed to members in local jurisdictions after an
happy snowbirds. While few snowbirds can be pleased election is called and are posted online for all to see on
with the recent performance of the Canadian dollar, it’s our website.
important to remember that we have been here before.
Actually, we’ve been a lot worse off in this regard and it The National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP) allows propwasn’t that long ago.
erty owners in participating communities in the United
States to purchase flood insurance policies from the
Our Winter Information Meeting tour began shortly government as an alternative to disaster assistance. On
thereafter and when I say shortly, I mean within 24 hours! April 1, 2015, reforms to the National Flood Insurance
This year, we visited Lake Havasu City, Casa Grande and Plan, made under the Homeowner Flood Insurance
Yuma, Arizona, Indio, California and Punta Gorda, Largo Affordability Act of 2014 (HFIAA) came into effect.
and Bonita Springs, Florida. On behalf of the Canadian Among the reforms made is the addition of a surcharge
Snowbird Association, thanks to all of the volunteers and levied on flood insurance policies. While the surcharge
to everyone who attended any of these shows; we sincerely is limited to US$25 for those insuring their primary
could not do this without your support. Thanks also to residences, for non-residents such as snowbirds with
our partners at Medipac for their invaluable assistance. vacation properties, the surcharge has been set at US$250.
I would also like to thank all those who donated so
generously to our Special Action Fund over the winter
months. The money raised is exclusively dedicated to our
lobbying efforts on both sides of the border.
Canadians are the foremost international purchasers of
real estate in the state of Florida, accounting for more
than 30% of total foreign home sales in 2013. These recent
changes are another example of the inequitable financial
burden placed on the shoulders of non-resident visitors,
The fifth edition of the Canadian Travellers’ Report Card who spend billions of dollars annually in the Sunshine
was officially released at Snowbird Extravaganza in Lake- State alone. I would like to assure our members that we
land. We’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy numerous will be raising this issue with Congress, with the goal of
victories on the government relations front recently, so having a more reasonable fee structure put in place, one
this edition is substantially different from its predecessor. which takes into consideration the contributions already
Don’t assume that provincial/territorial travel rules and made by snowbirds on a yearly basis.
regulations are uniform across Canada, they are not.
To find out what your federal and provincial/territorial Once again, thanks to all for your continued support of
governments are doing to either help or hinder your right the association; we continue to grow each and every year
to travel, I would encourage you to download a copy at thanks to your participation. Lois and I wish you a safe
www.snowbirds.org.
and relaxing summer and we look forward to seeing you
at our Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations in the fall.
Speaking of provincial travel rules and regulations, by the
time you read this, the provinces of Alberta and Prince
Government Relations Report
Jim Sherb
First Vice-President
A
s most of you are aware, our retiree visa initiative
(contained in the JOLT Act), although successfully
passed by the United States Senate, failed to be
called for a vote in the House of Representatives during
the last session of Congress. One of the most formidable
obstacles it faced was that it was tied to comprehensive
immigration reform in the Senate bill, and there was
little appetite for many Republican lawmakers to deal
with that issue on the House side.
On March 17, 2015, U.S. Representatives Joe Heck
(NV-R) and Mike Quigley (IL-D) re-introduced the Jobs
Originating through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act, once
again a bipartisan effort to expand international tourism.
Also in March, CSA President Bob Slack and staff travelled to Washington, D.C. to sit down with lawmakers
in an attempt to secure congressional co-sponsors for
the newly introduced version of our bill.
Further, the CBC article also discussed the Entry/Exit
initiative, a bi-national border program in which entry
and exit data will be shared about individuals travelling between Canada and the United States. While this
initiative was scheduled to be expanded on June 30,
2014, to include Canadian and American citizens, the
required legislative and regulatory changes have yet to
be implemented. At present, the Entry/Exit Initiative is
not fully operational, proving yet again that you can’t
believe everything you read in the media.
As Bob Slack mentioned in his president’s report, the
fifth edition of the Canadian Travellers’ Report Card is
now available on our website at www.snowbirds.org. You
know, usually when we have to substantially update one
of our information publications there might be some
grumbling about the extra cost incurred, but certainly
not this time. As a matter of fact, when we have to update
this document, it’s usually nothing but good news. Since
As we go to print, we have 24 co-sponsors; in the last ses- the fourth edition of the report card, we have had wins
sion of Congress, the JOLT Act secured 166 co-sponsors. in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick
The good news is that it took almost two years to secure and Nova Scotia. Thanks to all of our members who
the previous level of support, but only approximately contacted their elected representatives requesting these
six weeks to extract commitments from the 24 current changes…your voices have most certainly been heard.
members of Congress. We are headed back to Washington, D.C. in May and are confident that the number will Prince Edward Island voters go to the polls on May 4,
increase in short order.
2015. As we go to print, we are about a week away from
that date so we obviously don’t know the result. We have
What is even more encouraging is that the JOLT Act is no been working closely with the P.E.I. government recently
longer tied to the controversial issue of comprehensive in an effort to have them increase the time for which
immigration reform, which should only increase our residents are permitted to remain out of the province
chances of its eventual passage.
without jeopardizing their provincial health coverage.
Despite leading the country by being the only province
During the winter, an article appeared on CBC News’ to comply with the portability principle of the Canada
British Columbia website that caused quite a stir with Health Act, Prince Edward Island still restricts their
many of our members. It was suggested that Canadian residents to a maximum six-month absence in a calencitizens were only allowed to spend 120 days in the dar year. Along with Saskatchewan, this represents the
United States each year. Quite simply, this information shortest permissible time out of province in Canada. We
is incorrect.
are hopeful that this will soon be rectified and, needless
to say, we are keeping a close eye on the results of the
Under current policy, eligible Canadian citizens may provincial election.
spend up to six months less a day in the United States, in
any 12-month period. From a tax perspective, long-term Have a great summer.
visitors who typically spend four or more months in the
U.S. in each calendar year may be deemed resident aliens
for tax purposes. In order to be treated as a non-resident
alien, most snowbirds need to claim a “closer connection”
to Canada by filing IRS Form 8840 annually.
Insurance
J. Ross Quigley
CEO
Medipac International Inc.
Everything we
bought during
our winter
sojourn this
year was
20% more
expensive
IT’S QUIET TIME AT MEDIPAC. Our medical
staff are reviewing old files and conversing in hushed
tones, hoping that the phone will not ring. When the
phone does ring, we know that it is someone in trouble
and we have had far too much of that this year. This
quiet time is precious.
The 2014-15 season has been complicated by the
ineffectiveness of this year’s flu shot. Apparently, it
only protected against 16% of the flu viruses that were
plaguing the United States and Canada due to a very
late mutation of the normal viruses, and many of us
paid the price. Many of our staff had the persistent
cough, dry throat and queasy stomach that appeared
to be everywhere and it was hard to shake off. But, even
worse, our many snowbird clients had severe difficulties
with these flus.
Pneumonia was the major side-effect and many of our
clients were hospitalized because that was the only way
to get rid of it if you had an even slightly compromised immune system. It spread very easily through our
communities and visits to doctors and walk-in clinics
were at multi-year highs. Doctors seem to be sending
many more people to the emergency rooms after a
quick patient review, and we are not yet sure whether
this is a result of the new Obamacare regulations or
not. Referring people to a higher level of service than
what is required would certainly fly directly in the face
of the tenets of Obamacare. This will require more
study, of course.
Even mentioning the nasty dollar decline is difficult.
Who ever thought that oil could drop from $110 to
$45 a barrel? Who ever thought that an NDP provincial
government could be elected in the Alberta heartland
of Conservatism, for that matter? Everything we bought
during our winter sojourn this year was 20% more
expensive – food, clothing, rent, taxes, gasoline and
even the $2 Tuesday night movie we splurge on. We
did our best to keep our insurance rates down this past
year and we had a positive view of our Canadian dollar.
We were wrong, and I guess that the oil price was the
primary culprit, but that sounds far too simplistic an
answer to me.
This coming season, we will have to plan our trips very
carefully given the price increase coming for travel
insurance and, in many cases, already implemented.
This year in January, February and March, our high
claims period, we were averaging more than $1.24 Canadian for those U.S.- dollar medical bills, with a high of
$1.28. Dollar hedges have helped a bit, but this is a new
season; we will do the best we can regarding pricing.
A wonderful summer is on the horizon and spring
has worked out very well, so far. Get outside and
enjoy it!
Canada Clubs
Gerry Brissenden
CSA Past President
Gerry’s Report
from the Villages
S
ince the passing of my dear wife Joan,
whom many of you met at meetings, I
found it very hard to live in the same
place in Florida. There are just too many good
memories. So I have moved to the Villages,
which is near Ocala. The Villages has more
than 100,000 residents, which makes it bigger
than many towns and cities in Canada.
This community has everything to take
your mind off of your problems. There are 33
executive golf courses, which are free to play
for residents. There are also 12 country club
courses for those who play at a higher level.
In addition to the golf, there is just about
any activity that you can think of, including
tennis, Pickle ball, swimming pools and
recreation centres, where there is something
going on every night. The local newspaper
has a whole section every day showing what
is going on and where.
In addition to the various activities, there
is just about every type of shopping that you
could want; there is no need to go out of the
Villages for anything.
At the present time, there are three town
squares where they have free entertainment
every day and night, as well as many restaurants where you can go from casual to elegant.
There is so much to talk about in the
Villages that I would not be able to fit it into
this page. So please stay tuned as I bring you
more about The Villages in subsequent issues.
Being here has helped to take my mind
off of my problems. I am now ready to get
back to work with the CSA. I look forward to
seeing many of you at the Snowbird Lifestyle
Presentations in Canada and also to speaking
to the Canadian Clubs in Florida next year.
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Oh, say can you
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Whose
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were
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O'er the rampa
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And the rocket
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the home of the
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O CANADA!
Have a Great Time Today!
See you at an Extravaganza near you!
The Voice of Travelling Canadians.
If you're not a member, become one!
Enjoy the freedom of the snowbird lifestyle.
Call us…before you travel again!
1-800-265-3200
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O Canada!
Our home and
native land!
True patriot love
in all thy sons
command.
With glowing
hearts
we see thee rise,
The True North
strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada,
we stand on guard
for thee.
God keep our
land
glorious and free!
O Canada,
we stand on guard
for thee.
O Canada,
we stand on guard
for thee.
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Full details available in clinic.
Opinion
with
Michael Coren
Friday the 13th. Unlucky for some, and especial-
Some, but not all did, and we needed all, and not some.
ly so for me and my colleagues. It was on that particular There are networks in Canada that have what is known
day this year that Sun News, where I hosted a nightly as a must-carry arrangement, meaning that even if notelevision show for almost four years, closed its doors. body watches them at all, the cable companies pay them
Quite a lot has been written in the past couple of months enough to keep those networks on the air for as long as
about all of this and at the time, in spite of numerous they want. You, in fact, pay for them even if you’ve never
requests, I said little and gave no interviews. But now, watched and never will do so.
after a respectful hiatus, I will say that from so many
standpoints the end of the network was a terrible loss. While Sun News was certainly conservative, we also gave
The station as a whole gave an informed and sympathetic platforms to Liberal and NDP politicians. Former NDP
hearing to various news issues and subjects that is not President Adam Giambrone was a frequent guest and
and will not be replicated anywhere else on television.
Warren Kinsella, a key player in many left-of-centre political campaigns, appeared several times a week. While I
On my show, The Arena, we interviewed numerous peo- am seen as a conservative, I differed from my colleagues
ple who did not find a place to be heard anywhere else. Brian Lilley and Ezra Levant on all sorts of issues. I wasn’t
We spoke to the usual suspects as well, of course – MPs, “on brand” quite a lot of the time, but was never criticized
labour leaders, various activists and authors – but also to or censored.
those outside of the mainstream. Alas, little of that will
take place any longer. There are fair and balanced voices The tragedy of the closing is two fold and is not about
elsewhere in Canadian media, but few who would, for ex- me – I was well-paid, treated most generously when I
ample, send cameras
departed, appear on
to the March for Life
radio, write books and
in Ottawa and listen
columns and will be
to people rather than
back on television very
search for sensation;
shortly. The loss is to
few who would
those who worked bedevote an entire
hind the scenes, who
show to the genuine
now need to find jobs
Christian meaning of
in an ever-shrinking
Christmas or Easter;
media environment;
few who would look within the details of internecine and to the Canadian landscape, where an often consendisputes in the Middle East and properly understand sus-driven television world usually fails to provide room
them; few who would champion the rights of parents, for authentic dissent and a wider purview of opinion.
conservatives, people of faith, those so often unfashionable or even unpopular elsewhere.
In the greater scheme of things, we move on and I suppose that the world doesn’t change very much. There are
Our audience was limited by cable access but in the broken hearts out there, as I’ve seen from the more than
first months of our existence, when we were lower on a thousand e-mails and notes which I have received from
the dial, we sometimes reached 100,000 documented saddened viewers, but day still follows night. Problem
viewers. By the end, with placement up in the hundreds, is, the Sun doesn’t shine any longer when that day does
we were down to fewer than 20,000. This, however, was dawn.
not the reason for our demise. Our online presence was
extremely healthy and, as someone who speaks through- There is no conspiracy out there and there were no sinout Canada, I was constantly astounded at how many ister plots to bring down Sun News. We had unfair and
Canadians watched Sun News every night. The problem uninformed critics, of course, but we could also have
was money. We cost the best part of $20 million a year done some things differently. In the final analysis, it is
to run and employed 200 people. If the cable companies television water-under-a-media-bridge and those of us
had given us what we and the CRTC had agreed upon, involved need to move forward and work elsewhere. Hey,
the future would have been bright.
if anybody is looking for an experienced television host
– you know where I am!
“
I was constantly astounded at
how many Canadians watched
Sun News every night.
”
Profile
A snowbird’s initiation
into surf fishing at
Boca Chica Beach
A
lden Moore meets regularly with the 6:00 a.m.
coffee group at Palm Resaca Park in Brownsville,
TX. He considers his cohorts to be multitalented
retirees who can entertain each other for hours with
various stories and anecdotes. One conversation of
particular interest was about surf fishing at Boca Chica
Beach. Surf fishing is just what it sounds like: the sport of
catching fish while standing on the shoreline or wading
in the surf. Alden approached his good friend Russ, an
avid fisherman, and expressed his willingness to learn
more about the sport. “He not only agreed to take me
fishing, he set me up with the necessary equipment,” tells
Alden. “He explained that I would need a salt-water reel,
a long fishing pole, a pole holder that secures the rod in
the sand and an out-of-state fishing licence.”
“I tried to fully absorb the remarkable panorama that
stretched out for miles around me.” Located just east of
Brownsville, Boca Chica is a sandy peninsula separated
from Mexico by the Rio Grande and detached from South
Padre Island by the Brazos Santiago Pass.
Alden and Russ drove right down to the end of the Rio
Grande. “One thing that really amazed me was how
narrow the river was where it emptied into the Gulf,”
tells Alden. “It was so shallow, you could actually wade
across it with very little effort.”
The next step was to practise throwing the line out.
Alden had never used an open-faced reel before; his first
attempts at casting were an absolute disaster. However,
his mentor was very patient and, before long, Alden
was able to successfully cast out his line with some consistency. Then one day, everything came to an abrupt,
momentary halt. “I accidently threw the line over my
neighbour’s mobile unit,” recalls Alden. “We could hear
the weight hit the front door with a loud bang!” Luckily,
the neighbour had a wonderful sense of humour and
Alden was off the hook, so to speak.
They found an ideal spot to fish, and set up their
equipment. Russ described some of the many fish that
they might be able to catch: whiting, red drum, black
drum, catfish, spotted sea trout, sand sharks and Florida
pompano. Alden cast out his line and set it in the pole
holder. “I must have been a fish magnet,” he says. “We
started hauling in the fish as soon as we threw our lines
out!” Several of the fish had a slot size, so they referred
to the fishing guide. For preservation purposes, there are
regulations regarding the size of fish that can legally be
harvested from particular bodies of water. Usually set
by state fish and game departments, the protected slot
limit prohibits the harvest of fish where the lengths,
measured from the snout to the end of the tail, fall within
the protected interval.
On the big day, Alden and Russ gathered their gear and
stopped at the bait shop. For 22 miles, they travelled
along Highway 4, a desolate and winding road that ends
at the ocean. When they finally reached the beach, Alden
was mesmerized as he watched the waves pommeling
the shore. “I got out of the truck slowly,” he remembers.
That day, Alden and Russ caught more than
20 whiting, which are the most common
type of fish caught, and also one of the tastiest, according to Alden. Before leaving for
home, Russ filleted all of the fish. “You can
guess what we had for dinner!” says Alden.
Boca Chica
is a sandy
peninsula
separated
from Mexico
by the
Rio Grande
Travel
CIRCUMNAVIGATING
NEWFOUNDLAND
OUTPORTS, ICEBERGS AND FRIENDLY FOLKS
Story and Photos by
Barb and Ron Kroll
W
hy did we travel around Canada’s easternmost province by ship?
Cruising allowed us to see Newfoundland the way the Vikings and
explorers first viewed it. Our Adventure Canada cruise made it easy
to meet people who live in remote outports and on islands that are inaccessible
by road. The ship was also a mobile front-row seat for watching magnificent
icebergs and whales.
Our 10-day Newfoundland circumnavigation began in St. John’s. Anticipation
was high as we gathered on the decks. Staff served champagne as we cruised past
The Battery neighbourhood’s multicoloured buildings to Fort Amherst, where
St. John’s Harbour meets the Atlantic.
ur
Petty Harbo
Edge of the Flat Earth
O
The Battery neighbourhood
ur first destination was Brimstone Head on Fogo
Island, off Newfoundland’s northeast coast. The
tongue-in-cheek Canadian Flat Earth Society
claims that it’s one of the four corners of the earth.
Brimstone Head resembles an upside-down cupcake
dominating Fogo. A sign at the base read: “Warning. You
are nearing the edge of the flat earth. One false step could
be your last. Number of people lost to date: 0.”
As we climbed the wooden steps and boardwalk, we
frequently stopped to look back at the scenic panorama
below us. At the summit, a sign displayed the distances
between Brimstone Head and the other “corners of the
flat earth” – Papua New Guinea, the Bermuda Triangle
and the Greek island of Hydra.
After descending, we strolled past colourful clapboard
homes to the Wireless Relay Interpretation Centre at
the 1911-to-1933 Marconi Station site. Its porch offered
spectacular views of Fogo and Brimstone Head. Mayor
Andrew Shea invited passengers inside to view historical
displays. He explained how the mainstay of Fogo’s economy – cod fishing – collapsed in the early 1960s. The
formation of the Fogo Co-op in 1967 saved Fogo Islanders
from the resettlement that befell other Newfoundland
outports.
The tour ended at the Lions Club. Musicians provided
entertainment, while passengers enjoyed delicious homemade scones, date squares and muffins. It was our first
taste of the warm Newfoundland hospitality that we
received throughout the trip.
Travel
Sharlene Hinz in Lit
tle Bay Islands
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Welcome sig
Iceberg
Humpback!
Icebergs and Whales
L
eaving Fogo, we joined a flotilla of whimsically
shaped icebergs slowly moving south. Our cruise
was in June, the best time to see the 10,000-year-old
mountains of ice. Seabirds rested on several of the floating
ice castles, carved from massive Greenland glaciers. A
streak of sky-blue clear ice bisected one pretty iceberg.
The captain cruised around a city block-sized behemoth,
thrilling photographers.
Whale-sighting announcements often took us by
surprise: “Humpbacks are breaching at three o’clock on
the starboard side!” Passengers grabbed their cameras
and binoculars and dashed to the deck railings. Whales
surrounded us. “Oohs” and “ahs” resounded across the
decks as we photographed spouts of exhaled blow-hole
spray, surfacing backs and black-and-white tails of diving
whales.
The captain stopped the ship after a later announcement: “Orcas are swimming 200 metres away from us!”
As we gathered on one side to photograph a male orca’s
two-metre-high dorsal fin, he disappeared. When he
resurfaced on the other side, with a second orca, passengers cheered and moved to the opposite railing.
Onboard Newfoundlanders
W
hale specialist Dave Snow was one
of the Newfoundland resource
people on board. In addition to
giving presentations about marine mammals, he helped us identify the whales in
Paul Dea
n
our photos.
Our Newfoundland guides entertained
us with traditional music. They joined us at meals and
on excursions to provide information and answer questions. At Garia Bay on the southwest coast, for example,
geologist Paul Dean accompanied us on a walk along the
rocky coast. He showed us glass-like pieces of quartz in
the pink petit granite.
As Newfoundland photographer Dennis Minty hiked
up the hill with us, he identified pink juniper flowers and
rhodora’s purple blossoms. When we reached the top,
we felt as if we were in a Newfoundland TV commercial,
filmed from a helicopter. We inhaled the fresh air and
enjoyed the panoramic views.
Travel
Whit
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View from Charlie’s Head summit of Francois and Adventure Canada ship
Remote Community
M
ore superb scenery awaited in Francois. To
reach the south-coast outport, our ship travelled along a narrow fjord between high cliffs.
At its foot, a haphazard cluster of crayon-red, purple,
yellow, green and white clapboard buildings climbed up
the slope from the water’s edge.
The population of Francois (90 people) doubled when
we went ashore. The community has no roads, just paved
paths. “We travel by ATVs in summer and snowmobiles
in winter,” said Deborah Baggs, a friendly resident who
guided our Francois tour. (Passengers divided into small
groups, each with a local guide.)
Deborah pointed out the only school, with 13 students and two teachers. Francois has one general store
and a post office. Water comes from a reservoir. Diesel
generators provide electricity. The community has no
doctor, nurse or cell phone service. People use landline
telephones. We were surprised to learn that the isolated
settlement had WiFi and satellite TV.
A gentleman leaned over his balcony as we walked
past his green house. “I’m 82 years old,” he said. “My
wife is 81. We’ve been married for 61 years. I’ve lived
here all my life.”
Signs also portrayed the pride that Francois residents felt about their community (and their sense
of humour). The first sign read: “A Clean Town is a
Happy Town.” The second one said: “Candy Rock
Bridge – Built in 1989 by The Men of Francois.”
Painted on one side of a white
outhouse was: “Francois’s Private
Reading Room.” The other side had
a painting of a skunk holding a
balloon reading: “Fertilizer For
Sale.”
As we walked around a pond
with Deborah, she identified
bright-orange anemones and white bunchberry flowers.
Just past the lovingly tended town cemetery, we reached
the wooden stairway to Charlie’s Head. The reward for our
climb to the summit was a beautiful view of Francois and
our ship, anchored in the harbour below towering cliffs.
That evening, Francois residents invited passengers
to the community hall for refreshments and dancing.
Darren Durnford, the outport’s one-man band, sings,
plays the accordion, guitar and fiddle, all by ear. Plates
of homemade cookies and squares covered a table. A
cake, decorated with “Welcome to Francois,” displayed
a photo of the community that we came to love during
our short visit.
Unfortunately, Francois residents may have to relocate
if more than 90% of the families accept government incentives to buy their homes. They voted against resettlement
in previous referendums, but residents say that relocation
is inevitable as their population dwindles. We were happy
to savour life in Francois before it succumbs to the fate
of other resettled Newfoundland outports.
Travel
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Bernie Felix an
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Walking on Rocks from Middle Earth
T
Francophone Music
A
s we cruised to Black Duck Brook, in the traditionally francophone area of the West Coast, we
listened to recordings of Émile Benoît, who kept
French music alive here. Gerry Strong, one of our onboard
musicians, met Émile after he became a professional
musician at the age of 60. “He worked as a fisherman,
logger and blacksmith to support his 13 children. He did
more than fiddling,” quipped Gerry. “Émile performed
at clubs and festivals, locally and internationally, before
he passed away in 1992.” Passengers visited his grave,
marked by a fiddle-shaped tombstone, in Black Duck
Brook’s cemetery.
In the nearby French Cultural Centre, we enjoyed
accordion performances by Émile Benoît’s nephew, Bernie
Felix. Three of his talented accordion students awed the
audience with lively folk tunes, as Bernie accompanied
them on his guitar. We wanted to get up and dance. If
Émile Benoît were alive today, he’d be proud that Bernie
and his students are carrying on his musical legacy.
hat evening, we watched the movie Hold Fast,
based on one of Kevin Major’s books. Kevin, our
onboard historian, explained that several scenes
were filmed in Gros Morne National Park, which we
visited the next day after arriving in Woody Point.
Penny McIsaac, an enthusiastic Parks Canada guide, led
passengers through the park’s rock-covered Tablelands.
“A half-billion years ago, repeated collisions of tectonic
plates thrust mantle rock from an ancient ocean bed
on top of the earth’s surface here,” she explained. “This
yellow mantle rock is peridotite,” she said. “It contains
heavy metals.”
From the trail, the desolate Tablelands looked devoid of
life. Penny disproved our impressions, pointing out some
white flowers. “Plants develop adaptations to survive,” she
said. “Serpentine sandwort needs heavy metals to survive.”
Penny positioned a photo of Newfoundland and Labrador’s floral emblem behind some pitcher plant leaves to
show us an image of its wine-coloured flower. “Beware!
We are among carnivorous plants,” she said. “The pitcher
plant smells delicious, so insects slip inside and can’t climb
back up its slimy leaves.”
As we retraced our steps back through the mantle rock,
Penny told us that UNESCO designated Gros Morne as
a World Heritage Site in 1987. Why? These middle-ofthe-earth rocks provided geologists with evidence that
continents move.
Penny McIsaac
with pitcher plant
eadows
L’Anse aux M
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So
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Replica of N
Viking Life
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Bronze statue of
Leif Eriksson
o prepare passengers for a visit to another UNESCO
World Heritage Site, onboard archeologist Latonia
Hartery gave a fascinating lecture about Vikings
at L’Anse aux Meadows. We learned that this national
historic site provided proof that the Vikings arrived in
North America 500 years before Christopher Columbus
and John Cabot.
At L’Anse aux Meadows’ entrance, a bronze statue
depicted Norse explorer Leif Eriksson, who established
the first European settlement in North America here in
1,000 AD. The Visitor Centre’s orientation film explained
that excavations uncovered the lower portions of Norse
dwellings after the site was discovered in 1960. Exhibits
described Viking encounters with Aboriginal people and
Norse woodworking techniques.
During a Parks Canada walking tour, passengers
viewed the remains of Norse sod huts at the archeological site. Today, the eight turf-walled buildings look like
grass-covered mounds. Inside a replica of the large hall,
we met a couple in Norse costume. These re-enactors
invited us to relax on benches beside the fire as Bjorn
played a wooden lyre and sang. We asked his wife what
she was cooking in the iron pot. “Caribou stew,” replied
Thora. She pointed to the hanger that held the pot over
the fire. “It’s the temperature control. The lower hook is
boil. The middle is simmer and the top is off.”
We met more costumed interpreters at nearby Norstead, a recreated 11th-century Viking village. Inside the
sod-roofed wooden boat house, the chieftain showed
us a 16.5-metre-long replica Viking ship. Next door, his
wife offered us some delicious sourdough bread that she
had baked in the fireside oven. In the adjoining room, a
woman spun raw wool into yarn with a spindle.
As we left Norstead, we felt as if we had emerged from
a time machine that transported us back 1,000 years. It
contrasted starkly with our visit to Little Bay Islands,
where our thoughts focused on the future.
Bjorn and his wife
Imminent Ghost Town
P
rior to our Little Bay Islands shore excursion,
onboard musician Tony Oxford gave passengers a
presentation about this East Coast outport where
he grew up. His history helped us understand the transformation of Little Bay Islands from a hard-working and
prosperous fishing village to an outport on the verge of
abandonment.
After we arrived, we joined him for a walk around
the harbour. Tony pointed out the location of Strong’s
Room. “The whole community centred around it,” he
said. The complex included three acres of flakes, where
workers spread cod on fir boughs to dry. In the evening,
they moved the fish to a storehouse, where it wouldn’t
become damp. In other buildings, workers made barrels
and packed cod for export.
Today, nothing remains of Strong’s Room. “It’s gone.
Disappeared,” said Tony. So are the shipbuilding yards
that employed hundreds of people.
The effects of the government’s 1992 cod-fishing moratorium were devastating, according to Tony. “More than
19,000 rural Newfoundlanders and Labradorians lost their
jobs.” The population of Little Bay Islands fell from 550
in 1945 to fewer than 80 people living there permanently
today. Most left to find employment elsewhere.
Faced with the challenge of supporting remote communities with ferries, electricity, education and health care,
the Newfoundland government offers outport families
up to $270,000 to leave their homes, if 90% agree. Nearly
80% of permanent Little Bay Islands residents asked to
leave during the last resettlement vote. If the number
meets the quota in the next referendum, Little Bay Islands
will no longer exist as a living community. Inhabitants
of many of Newfoundland’s 1,200 outports have already
resettled elsewhere. Their deserted homes are haunting
reminders of their past.
We met Sharlene Hinz on the porch of Aunt Edna’s
Boarding House. “This year has been my busiest ever,” she
told us. “With resettlement coming, people want to have
one last look at Little Bay Islands before it disappears.”
None of the nine general stores in the community
remain. If residents want to buy anything, they have to
Travel
TOURING ST. JOHN’S
BEFORE AND AFTER THE CRUISE
y Islands
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travel by ferry to the mainland. Tony Oxford’s Uncle Winc
(short for Wincell) remembers going to the general store
at Strong’s Room to buy items for his grandmother during
the cod-fishing era. He said it was so busy that he once
had to wait for four hours to be served.
We met Uncle Winc during a walk up Pole Hill. Its
122-metre peak offers spectacular views of Little Bay
Islands. Uncle Winc fished for 50 years. “It’s not easy
leaving a place where you’ve lived all your life,” he said,
as we looked out over Little Bay Islands and its harbour.
Below us were wharfs, homes and boats, dominated by
a large building.
“That was the modern fish-processing plant,” said Tony.
“My mother worked there in the 1970s.” He explained
that crab filled the void when the cod fishery collapsed.
After two large multinational companies took control of
Newfoundland’s fishery, Little Bay Islands lost its crab-processing licence. Now closed, the plant will never be used
again. “It will crumble with time,” said Tony.
After walking down Pole Hill, passengers went to the
Tony Oxford
school where volunteers served us refreshments. As we
enjoyed delicious partridgeberry pies, cupcakes and cookies, we met more of the friendly folks in Little Bay Islands.
One of them was Juanita Hull, Tony Oxford’s cousin, who
made the best shortbread cookies we’ve ever tasted.
After learning about its vibrant past and meeting the
people who grew up, lived and worked there, it hurt us to
think about Little Bay Islands disappearing. We wondered
what would happen to the inhabitants when the majority
accept the government relocation package.
Tony Oxford picked up his guitar to sing, as he did
so often during our cruise. His eloquent song helped us
understand what must be going through the minds of
Little Bay Islanders. “Every time I showed up, another boat
was on the beach, lying on its side... another house was
boarded up,” he sang. “My home will soon be a memory.
How I hate to go back and say good-bye.”
Newfoundland left us with many memories – its
beautiful landscapes, whimsical icebergs and toe-tapping
music. The outports and their inhabitants will always be
the most enduring.
Adventure Canada’s complimentary pre-cruise tour
of St. John’s began at Signal Hill and its landmark
Cabot Tower. After enjoying spectacular city views, we
travelled to downtown’s jellybean-coloured buildings
and Government House. The tour ended at Cape Spear
Lighthouse National Historic Site, the most easterly
point in North America.
This taste of Newfoundland’s capital enticed us (and
many other passengers) to see more of St. John’s after
the cruise. Marine Drive and the Irish Loop coastal
roads beckoned with picturesque fishing villages and
rugged coastlines. We watched artists in Quidi Vidi
Village’s Plantation Craft Studios and enjoyed a Quidi
Vidi Brewing Company tour, followed by a tasty lunch
at Mallard Cottage National Historic Site. The next day,
we visited Harbourside Park with its bronze sculptures
of Newfoundland and Labrador dogs, the art gallery,
archives and museum in The Rooms, and George
Street, famous for its nightlife. Our visit ended with
a delicious dinner of nouvelle Newfoundland cuisine
at Bacalao restaurant.
RESOURCES
Adventure Canada Newfoundland Circumnavigation Cruise:
www.AdventureCanada.com or 1-800-363-7566
Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism:
www.newfoundlandlabrador.com or 1-800-563-6353
Parks Canada: www.parkscanada.gc.ca or
1-888-773-8888
City of St. John’s: www.stjohns.ca or 1-844-570-2009
Barb & Ron Kroll publish the trip-planning website:
www.KrollTravel.com
Health
D
uring our winter shows, a number of our entertainers and show staff take about a two-mile
hike each morning while on tour. This year in
Lakeland, I forgot to bring my hiking shoes and used
loafers until I developed a painful blister on my sole,
putting a temporary halt to my walks. Fortunately, our
Medipac booth was opposite a booth selling SAS shoes,
whereupon I quickly purchased a new pair of casual shoes
which gave me immediate relief. Within two days, I was
back to my morning exercise.
This short-lived incapacity resulting from a foot problem
made me realize how important it is to have healthy feet.
When you have foot problems, you can become quite
incapacitated and the whole quality of your life can be
affected. While there are many afflictions affecting the
feet that can develop which we cannot prevent, many
of the problems that I used to see in practice can be
treated and even avoided. When foot problems prevent
you from walking and keeping active, many other health
problems can be accentuated and new ones can develop.
We know that keeping physically active, especially by
walking, can have positive effects on your weight control,
blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and sleeping
habits, as well as many other conditions.
Foot pain can arise as a result of many different conditions.
Previous ankle or foot fractures, foot deformities or
other injuries can result in pain when weight-bearing or
walking. Your family doctor is your usual resource for
common foot problems, but other professionals such
as chiropodists, podiatrists, orthopaedic surgeons and
orthotic professionals may be necessary. In some cases,
orthotics may be prescribed and used to achieve as much
pain-free mobility as possible. Whatever the reason for the
orthotics, be sure and obtain the devices from a reputable
certified professional who has a good reputation among
physicians and the community.
Health
Maintaining
Healthy Feet
by Robert MacMillan MD
Another common cause of foot pain can be from plantar Flat feet is rarely a cause for symptoms in the adult
fasciitis. This condition occurs when there has been strain population and can be managed with good arch supports.
on the thick tissue which forms the arch of the foot con- A bunion occurs at the big toe joint and is characterized
necting the toes to the heel bone, causing inflammation by swelling and tenderness over the deformed joint, with
and swelling. It is often seen in runners, obese individuals the big toe pointing to, or even overlapping, the second
and those wearing shoes with inadequate arch support. toe. Bunions are more common in seniors. Women have
Upon diagnosis, mild anti-inflammatory medication a higher incidence, possibly from wearing fashionable
may be indicated, rest for a week or two, wearing shoes shoes with insufficient toe room. It is important to wear
with good cushioning and support and, possibly, splints proper-fitting shoes with ample toe room. In some cases,
to be worn at night. If pain continues, more aggressive spacers may be used to relieve pressure on the bunion. At
therapy may be indicated.
home, cutting an old pair of shoes to relieve the pressure
on the bunion is good advice. Surgery is reserved for
Gout is a condition caused by a buildup of uric acid which advanced cases that can’t be managed medically.
is then deposited in a joint, most commonly the big toe.
The inflammation results in acute pain in the affected Foot and ankle sprains involve the stretching or tearing
joint. Prescribed drugs are used to effectively treat the of ligaments joining two bones. Most sprains can be
condition and other drugs are used to lower the uric acid treated with ice packs and elevation in the first day or two,
blood level, thereby preventing attacks.
followed by limited weight-bearing until pain subsides
and healing occurs…usually in about two weeks. Mild
anti-inflammatory meds may be recommended.
Health
Morton Neuroma is a condition involving injury to the
nerve which runs between two toes. It is most common
between the third and fourth toes and affects women
more than men. It causes thickening, tenderness and often
sharp or burning foot pain made worse with pressure.
Medical treatment is not always successful and surgery
is sometimes indicated.
Corns and calluses are thickened skin areas which have
developed from pressure or friction on affected areas,
most commonly toes and heels. All treatment is focused
on relieving the pressure or friction, such as wearing
proper footwear, treating underlying conditions such
as bunions and using over-the-counter corn pads to
protect the area.
Diabetics need to take extraspecial care of their feet, as they
are more prone to infections,
nerve damage, circulatory
problems and ulceration.
Diabetics need to take extra-special care of their feet, as
they are more prone to infections, nerve damage, circulatory problems and ulceration. Such individuals must be
very knowledgeable about the importance of good foot
care and have a medical professional instruct them and
follow their foot care. Strict control of blood sugar levels
is indicated to help reduce these risks. The nerve damage
(diabetic neuropathy) can cause lack of feeling in the
feet wherein the individual may not recognize that a cut
or bruise may have occurred. Ulceration and infection
may ensue. Such incidents can also lead to poor healing,
resulting in inadequate blood supply due to vascular
disease. The key word is prevention. Protecting the feet
and close daily inspection of one’s feet are essential in
diabetic individuals. Daily washing, keeping the skin soft
and dry, wearing fresh socks each day, preventing swelling
(including elevation of the feet when relaxing), wearing
socks and shoes at all times and proper trimming of one’s
nails are especially important to diabetics.
Bacterial infections of the foot may result from scrapes
and cuts, but the most common infection arises from
an ingrown toenail. Some individuals have to deal with
this for much of their life. The nail, usually on a big toe,
grows sideways and angles down into the side of the
nail bed, actually cutting the skin and causing infection.
Management of this condition usually involves cutting
the offending portion of the nail and removing it. This
should be done by a trained medical professional using
sterile procedures on a routine basis, or at least when
the earliest signs of discomfort and/or redness appear.
Athlete’s foot – a fungal infection of the feet – and plantar
warts – a viral infection – are more common in children
and younger adults and the risk is less with proper hygiene
of the feet.
Achilles tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendon
connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone. When
strained, inflammation of the tendon can cause pain in
the heel area and, if the strain is severe and sudden, a
complete tear requiring surgery may occur. The cause
of tendinitis is often sudden stretching of the tendon; in
seniors, it can arise from unaccustomed activity such as
tennis, dancing or jogging. As with many such injuries,
prevention is very important.
Many of these common foot problems can be avoided
through prudent care of your feet. Washing daily, especially between the toes, drying your feet well, wearing
socks which are dry, fresh and not tight and well-fitting
shoes are important measures. Inspecting your feet daily,
trimming or getting assistance in proper trimming of your
nails, getting professional advice for corns and calluses,
protecting your feet from excessive heat or cold, avoiding
sudden strenuous activities which are known to cause
foot or ankle problems and getting appropriate exercise
of your leg muscles are important tips to keeping your
feet healthy and free of discomfort. See your doctor early
if any abnormalities are noted and, if you are diabetic,
you must pay even closer attention to maintaining good
foot health.
RV Lifestyle
Story and photos
by Rex Vogel
Touring Amish
Country Communities
I
n the fall 2014 issue, we introduced Amish Country
Indiana and the RV Capital of the World. In this issue,
we’ll tour three communities in Amish Country. But
first, we’ll explore some Amish history.
The Amish people in America are an old religious sect,
direct descendants of the Anabaptists of 16th-century
Europe who challenged the reforms of Martin Luther
and others during the Protestant Reformation.
They rejected infant baptism in favour of baptism (or
re-baptism) as believing adults. They also taught separation of church and state, something unheard of in the
16th century. The Anabaptists were regarded as a threat
to both Roman Catholic and Protestant establishments.
In the years that followed, Anabaptist leaders were
persecuted and tortured for their faith. In spite of persecution, the Anabaptist movement spread through central
and western Europe.
In Holland, a Roman Catholic priest named Menno
Simons (1496-1561) left the Church to become one of
those persecuted for his Anabaptist beliefs. He led a
group that fled to Switzerland and other remote areas of
Europe to escape religious persecution. Simons’ followers
became known as Mennists, later Mennonites.
Nearly 150 years later, during the late 1600s, dissension
arose among the Mennonites regarding matters of faith
and practice. In 1693, Jakob Ammann, a young bishop
in the church, broke away from the Mennonites to follow
his own, more stringent beliefs.
Ammann’s group valued commitments to family and
community and sought to be humble in both behaviour
and appearance. They believed that their group should
separate from the outside world. Ammann’s followers
became known as Amish.
In 1727, the first Amish immigrants left Switzerland for
America and settled near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Indiana, with the third-largest Amish population, was
settled in 1842.
The Amish are a kind, welcoming people, but you
shouldn’t photograph – or ask to photograph – them as
it is against their religious beliefs.
Website
vogeltalksrving.com
E-mail me at
vogelontheroad@
gmail.com with
your comments,
issues and topics
that you’d like to
see addressed on
this page.
RV Lifestyle
Nappanee: Embrace the Pace
N
appanee’s many shops, beautifully restored
murals and storied architecture can be enjoyed
with a leisurely stroll.
A window to another world, the quiet rhythms of
Amish life – more than 3,500 Old Order Amish make
their homes here – are revealed along back roads dotted
with pristine white farmhouses, grazing cattle and the
eclectic Countryside Shoppes, a collection of rural retailers offering everything from quilts to cabinetry.
The families who populated the area were deeply
religious and conservative, founding their community
on the values of hard work and integrity.
The city remains surrounded by many farm families of
the Anabaptist religious sects, among them the Amish,
Mennonite and German Baptist.
Many surrounding farms have no electricity, natural
gas or telephone lines connecting them to the outside
world. Horse-drawn buggies are the main source of travel.
These reminders of the past coexist side by side with a
modern American city, boasting a thriving light manufacturing industry focused on recreational vehicles and
modular homes, as well as craftsmen who mix old and
new in producing fine furniture and other woodwork. Experience the restoration of the Stahly-Nissley-Kuhns
farmstead at Amish Acres. Following a year of meticulous
restoration, Amish Acres opened to the public in 1970.
Enjoy the award-winning family-style Threshers
Dinner served at your table under the hand-hewn
timbers of the century-old Restaurant Barn. Many
handmade crafts and locally produced products are featured in Amish Acres’ unique
shops. An Amish Acres tradition, Plain
and Fancy, now in its 27th season, fills
the Round Barn Theatre stage each
April through October.
Goshen: The Maple City
G
oshen is located in the heart of Amish Country.
Almost all roads lead to this varied collection of
beautifully restored turn-of-the-century buildings
and tidy Victorian homes. Goshen is also laced with
eclectic shops, specialty boutiques and cozy cafés set
throughout the historic downtown.
In 1983, the downtown Historic District was placed
on the National Register of Historic Places. Goshen’s
downtown is one of the coolest around – hands down.
Few towns of this size (about 30,000 residents) can boast
about a thriving downtown cultural arts scene, beautiful
historic architecture and intriguing places to eat and shop.
Admire the classic courthouse in the heart of town.
Peek into the bunker-like police booth on the corner of
Main and Lincoln dating back to the days when John
Dillinger was the bane of bankers.
The Olympia Candy Kitchen, “the sweetest little place
in town,” has been welcoming visitors for almost a century in its unchanged location in downtown Goshen. Its
tradition began in 1912, when Greek immigrant Nicholas
Paflas began making his own hand-dipped chocolates and
running the soda fountain.
Built in 1896, the Old Bag Factory is home to producing
artists, antiques, specialty shops and cafés. The historic
character of the complex provides a unique and
charming setting for the specialty shops which
it houses.
Many residential streets are lined with stately maple
trees, giving Goshen the nickname, The Maple City.
RV Lifestyle
Shipshewana: A Shopper’s Paradise
S
hipshewana is a bustling village with quaint shoplined streets, specialty retailers and home-style
dining. Shoppers search for handcrafted items,
baked goods and what-not behind picturesque, turn-ofthe-century storefronts.
The Midwest’s largest flea market brims with bargains
and hundreds of vendors. Livestock and antique auctions
attract both serious buyers and the simply curious.
Horse-pulled buggy rides through town and into the
countryside are a welcome diversion for weary feet. A
strong Amish culture ensures a family-friendly atmosphere and closed shops on Sunday.
Shopping at Yoder’s Shipshewana Hardware store, one
of the few remaining old-fashioned hardware stores, is
popular, as is exploring the Davis Mercantile building,
a huge historic structure with a variety of stores inside.
On the top floor of the Mercantile is the Shipshewana
Carousel Company, where you can take a ride on a fully
restored 1906 carousel.
Four generations of experience in meat-cutting and
raising cattle have made Yoder’s Meat & Cheese Company
what it is today. Yoder’s stocks more than 100 varieties
of cheese products manufactured largely by different
cheese-making operations in the Amish Mennonite
communities of Indiana and Ohio. Also available are
more than 100 cuts of quality farm-fresh meat, hickory
wood-smoked meats, 19 varieties of jerky and gourmet
food including homemade noodles, jams and jellies, fruit
butters, salsas and seasonings.
In 1936, Rufus Yoder started growing popcorn on his family farm. In the Amish custom,
he shared his excess crop with his neighbours
and friends. They told their friends and neighbours
about the excellent quality of Yoder Popcorn and soon,
a business was born.
See and hear the Amish-Mennonite story at Menno-Hof. Multi-image presentations and historical environments offer a glimpse into the life and history of the
Amish and Mennonites. Travel through five centuries of
fascinating history from their origins in Switzerland to
their arrival in America. History unfolds as you explore
a 17th-century sailing ship and replicas of a 19th-century
print shop and meeting house.
Worth Pondering...
Our children are the only treasures we can take to heaven.
A sweater is a garment worn by a child when his mother feels chilly.
Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children
who step on their toes.
If parents don’t train their children, the children will train the parents.
Good character, like good soup, is usually homemade.
– Amish quotes on Family
Finance
Steps
To
A
Successful
Retirement
Want your retirement to be fulfilling? Take care of these three areas
By James Dolan
W
e spend so much time thinking and talking about how to enjoy a long and fulfilling
retirement – but how do we actually go about doing it? How can we ensure that our
retirement is “successful”?
Part of the problem is that when it comes to defining retirement “success,” no one definition
fits all people. One person wants to spend money on luxury items that were never possible during the
working years. Another wants to travel around the world. Another person simply wants to have enough
to live on without being a burden to family. All of these definitions – and many others – are equally valid.
While everyone’s vision of retirement is unique, there are certain elements that are common to nearly
every definition of a successful retirement. Ultimately, a successful retirement comes down to taking care
of three core areas:
FINANCIAL well-being
PERSONAL well-being
PHYSICAL well-being
building and safeguarding your assets so that
you have the funds to achieve important life
goals during retirement;
pursuing interests and hobbies to ensure that
retirement is personally fulfilling;
protecting and maintaining your physical
health, so that you can enjoy your quality of
life throughout your retirement years.
Under each of these broad categories are a number of specific points. While not all of them will be
priorities for all retirees, taking the time to get a lot of these “ducks” in a row should help you ensure that
your golden years are truly golden.
Finance
FINANCIAL well-being
L
et’s face it: no matter what you want to accomplish during retirement,
you’re going to need money to accomplish it. That’s why your financial
well-being is paramount to the success of your golden years.
Get rid of debt
might think. Because we’re living longer lives,
This is the first and arguably most important our portfolios need to last longer – in practical
part of financial well-being. Most people find it terms, this means selecting an allocation of
very difficult to service a mortgage or other debts investments that can produce returns which
during retirement, for the very simple reason are higher than inflation over the long term.
that income is limited. Even those who can And this means equities.
service debt often find that debt in retirement
What’s the ideal allocation of equities in your
is a heavy burden; with so much income going portfolio? That depends on your age, your perto paying off debt, there’s less left over to realize sonal risk tolerance, the items on your “bucket
other retirement goals.
list” (and how much they cost), etc. If you’re
Debt is an emotional burden as well. The having trouble figuring out what that allocation
longer you go in retirement with debt, the less is, it’s a good idea to seek professional advice
you’ll feel like you’ve truly retired. While it’s from a qualified wealth advisor.
difficult to put a price on peace of mind, it’s
important to acknowledge the feeling that comes Maintain flexibility for withdrawals
with having loans which you can’t pay off, or the
Most individuals will need to make withdrawsense of freedom that comes with knowing that als from their retirement portfolio throughout
your income is your own.
their retirement years. How you decide to make
If you haven’t already, make getting rid of debt those withdrawals can have a tremendous
a top retirement priority. Keep a lid on spending impact on your long-term financial health.
in order to accomplish this goal more quickly.
Those with RRIFs (what your RRSP turns
Pay off debt before helping the kids with their into after you reach the age of 71) will have to
mortgage or other living expenses. Consider follow the government-mandated minimum
part-time work to increase your income. Or, put withdrawal schedule. With your TFSA or
off retirement for a year or two until you’re 100% non-registered accounts, however, you’ll have
debt-free. Whatever you choose, it will almost the freedom to take out as much or as little as
certainly be the best thing that you do for your you like. But be careful. Take out too much, and
long-term retirement success.
you could permanently impair your retirement
capital. Take out too little, and you risk missing
Find a portfolio allocation that makes
out on many of the activities and experiences
sense
that make retirement enjoyable.
Conventional wisdom suggests that as a
So what should you do? Answer: be flexible.
person enters retirement, his or her portfolio Set yourself a starting point for your annual
needs to change. Specifically, it makes sense withdrawals: 5% of the total is probably a good
to cut back on “riskier” assets such as stocks, place to start for most people. Then consider
and replace them with safer, more secure, the economic and market environment. If your
income-producing assets.
portfolio has dropped in value, it might be a
Such an approach makes a good deal of sense. good idea to take out less than your 5% target.
But it doesn’t capture the whole story either. Yes, Conversely, if your portfolio has put in a strong
absolutely, retirement is not the time to chase performance, feel free to take out a little more.
“long-shot” investments such as high-tech start- This kind of flexibility will ensure that your
ups, penny stocks and the like. But just because portfolio doesn’t suffer irreparable harm just
you need to be careful about risk doesn’t mean because the market has an off year.
that you should cash in all your stocks and invest
everything in low-yielding GICs either.
Be vigilant about costs
The fact of the matter is, all retirees need to
Let’s face it: no one likes paying more for
have a portion of their portfolio in equities. And things than they have to. That’s particularly
the size of that portion is often larger than you true during your retirement years. When
you’re on a fixed income (as most retirees are),
being cost-conscious isn’t just a good habit, it’s
a necessity.
One of the most significant expenses in retirement is the cost of maintaining a portfolio and
servicing one’s financial needs. While such costs
may seem insignificant in the short term (2.5%
per year doesn’t sound like much), over time
they can be a significant drag on your portfolio’s
growth.
Here’s the good news: today, there is very
little reason to accept sky-high fees for mutual
funds or similar investment products. Often,
there’s a low-cost exchange-traded fund that
can provide the same or similar exposure for
much less. Same goes for high-priced service
fees on investment accounts. Many times, there’s
a self-directed online brokerage that’s available
which can save you a bundle.
That said, there are times when it makes very
good sense to pay for active management, for
example, or for full-service investment advice. If
such services are giving you good value (by providing higher returns, more thorough reporting,
more free time or greater peace of mind), then
by all means, pay up. But at the very least, make
sure that you know what you’re paying for, and
why you’re paying for it.
Have a plan for government benefits
Government benefits such as Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Pension exist to provide
retirees with a “foundational income” in retirement – a basic level of income that’s adjusted
for inflation every year, and which will last until
you pass away. Even if you have other assets
(an RRSP/RRIF, a company pension, a rental
property, etc.), your government benefits will
likely be a key element of your retirement plan.
With many of these benefits, you have some
decisions to make regarding when to accept
them. For example, you can opt to receive CPP
payments any time after age 60. Sounds good,
but there is a drawback – the earlier you receive
your payments, the smaller the individual
payments will be (the exact amount is based
on a penalty for every month you receive your
benefits before the age of 65).
Finance
So, should you take your benefits early, or wait for them? can help you avoid dipping into your savings in those first
There’s no right or wrong answer here – what you decide to critical years of retirement, and can provide a last-minute
do depends largely on your life expectancy, your personal “boost” to your savings.
goals and your income needs, so you’ll have to do some
Beyond the financial reasons, easing into retirement can
calculations and see what makes sense for you. There are a also make the transition to retirement smoother and less
number of online calculators that can help you out; if you disruptive. As much as we might complain about having to
work with a financial professional, he or she should be able get up on a Monday morning, work often provides us with
to run some basic “what if ” scenarios for you.
a sense of purpose, as well as opportunities to socialize. And
Whatever you decide, the important thing is to do some there’s the self-esteem that comes from a job well done. All
homework and have a plan. This will allow you to approach in all, some pretty good reasons to be flexible rather than
the topic rationally, with full knowledge of the pros and simply hanging up the work boots (or the keyboard) for good.
cons of each option, instead of making it up as you go along.
Flexible retirement date
Many Canadians dream of the day on which they leave
work for good. But for more and more of us, retirement
isn’t an all-or-nothing thing. In fact, having a little flexibility
regarding how you “ease in” to your retirement can actually
be an effective way to ensure that you always have sufficient
funds.
Working for an extra year or two past your planned
retirement date can make a significant difference to your
retirement portfolio. But part-time work might be a good
solution too. For professionals, consulting or a short-term
contract may be a possibility. Some retirees find retirement an
excellent time to start a “hobby business” or explore a career
path against which they decided some time ago. Such efforts
Organize your estate
Estate planning isn’t the easiest part of personal finance.
However, if we don’t take the time to write a will and leave
clear instructions regarding how we want our assets to be
distributed to our heirs, we leave a complicated mess for
others to figure out. And that’s not a legacy that anyone
wants to leave behind.
Do yourself (and your heirs) a favour: make sure that
you have a valid, up-to-date will written by a qualified legal
professional who has experience with wills and estates. Yes,
a professional will often cost more than an off-the-shelf
booklet or “do-it-yourself ” will kit. But it will likely pay for
itself in fewer hassles, less ambiguity and improved clarity
for your heirs.
PERSONAL well-being
M
oney isn’t everything – a successful retirement is about living life to the
fullest, as well. The fact is, making sure that retirement is personally
fulfilling is just as important as keeping your portfolio in tip-top shape.
Here are some ideas about on how you can do that:
Stay social
Some people welcome retirement as an opportunity to You have to nurture and care for them if you want them to
spend time with friends and family members – time they bear fruit.
didn’t always have before, because work always got in the
way. For others, however, retirement is a time when social Find your (everyday) passion
networks get smaller; without colleagues and associates
Many people enter retirement with a “bucket list” – a
from the office, they have fewer opportunities to meet new list of things which they want to experience during their
friends, catch up with old ones, or just go for a coffee with retirement. Nothing wrong with that, but what about the
a casual acquaintance.
“everyday” part of retirement? What kinds of hobbies and
It’s a fact: retirees who are socially active tend to live longer, activities will hold your interest at home, when you’re not
happier lives. Having friends and family members to talk travelling or at the cottage or getting together with family or
to can help diminish the risk of loneliness, isolation and crossing something else off life’s “to-do” list?
depression that sometimes afflicts retirees (particularly in
It’s an important question. We all look forward to the
later retirement). That’s why staying social should be a top annual trips and the yearly get-togethers, but we also need
priority for every retiree.
activities and interests that give us a sense of anticipation
Make sure to carve out time for friends and family and excitement every day. In fact, a study from Concordia
throughout your retirement years. Go for a coffee. Book a University in Montréal concluded that retirees who were able
movie night. Have the kids over for a BBQ. Always remember to introduce interests and hobbies into their everyday routine
that personal relationships are like your backyard garden. were able to maintain mental acuity and enjoy a happier life.
Finance
Take some time to understand what you want your “ideal
day” to look like. What would you do if you only had to do
the things that truly interest you? What do you want to learn,
experience or see on a day-to-day level that would make life
worth living? What gets you out of bed in the morning? No,
these are not always easy questions to answer. But thinking
about them can make retirement immensely more satisfying.
Get behind a cause
One of the things about work that many retirees end up
missing is the ability to belong to something bigger than
themselves – a purpose, if you will. If part-time or contract
work isn’t part of your retirement plan, consider putting your
time into a cause that matters to you. Not only will reaching
out to the less fortunate improve your self-esteem, you will
make the world a better place, enriching lives, including
your own.
While donating money to your favourite charity or community cause is a noble deed, volunteering your time to a
cause that matters can be a great way to stay social, engage
your mind and make a positive difference as well. Activities
that improve your community or “give back” to others can be
a way to feel good about your legacy, and how you’re leaving
the world a little better than you found it.
PHYSICAL well-being
I
f you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. The investments which
you make in your health – particularly in the early years of retirement – will
pay dividends as the years go by.
Stay active
Of course, prevention also includes making sure that your
You’ve already heard about how important it is to get body is capable of fending off illness in the first place. Exercise
regular exercise during your later years. Not only can a sed- can help here, as can a healthy diet and getting enough sleep.
entary life dramatically shorten your life expectancy, it can Think of these as investments: the more time and effort you
also cut into the quality of your retirement life, stopping you put into them, the more they’ll pay off in improved quality
from enjoying your favourite activities, preventing you from of life and longevity.
leading an independent lifestyle in later years and forcing you
to spend more time at the doctor’s office than you care to.
Have a plan for health-care costs
So follow the advice you’ve already heard: do whatever
Given new drugs and advanced medical procedures, it’s
you can to stay active for as long as possible. Take up a sport. not surprising that many individuals survive serious health
Attend an exercise class if you’re able. Go for a walk every day. problems such as heart attacks and strokes, or diseases such as
Your goal should be to get your muscles moving and your cancer and MS. This development is definitely good news, but
blood flowing at a moderate to vigorous rate for 2.5 hours a it also opens the door to a new problem: surviving the illness.
week – call it half an hour most days.
While our health-care system provides a basic level of care
Having trouble allocating time for exercise? Keep in mind for every Canadian, it makes sense to think a little about
that the little things add up – so park a little farther away how you’ll deal with additional expenses such as expensive
when you’re going to the mall. Take the stairs to the second prescriptions, ongoing treatments and therapies, or longfloor, then take the elevator the rest of the way. Leave the term care.
golf cart on the path, then walk over to where your ball is
Depending on your personal circumstances, you may
on the fairway. Over time, all of these “micro-exercises” can want to investigate whether critical illness or long-term care
make a real difference.
insurance makes sense for you. Critical illness insurance is
a living benefit paid to you, the policy owner, in the event
Be proactive with checkups and prevention
that you develop cancer, MS, stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s,
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It’s heart attack, kidney failure or other diseases. Keep in mind
simple advice that’s well worth following in retirement. By that coverage options vary according to the policy.
keeping up with your regular health checkups, you’re able to
Should you require long-term care in the future, long-term
monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood-sugar care insurance can provide you with a tax-free source of funds
levels – all of which can be important indicators of larger, to help you manage expenses. These funds can be used to
more significant problems. By keeping regular tabs on your reside in a private-care facility, or to assist you in remaining in
health, you’ll be able to solve little problems before they turn the comfort of your own home and have nurses and therapists
into big problems.
care for you there.
A successful retirement doesn’t just “happen.” It takes planning and foresight. You need to examine the possibilities and
create a long-term strategy that leads you toward the retirement which you’ve envisioned for yourself.
Health Pulse
COULD DEMENTIA BE PREVENTABLE?
Those at risk of having a stroke may also want
to pay attention to their risks for dementia.
This is concerning news, but it may also lead
to new approaches for preventing Alzheimer’s
disease and other forms of dementia.
Dr. Sandra Black at the University of
Toronto sees increasing evidence that strokes
and dementia are connected. Both conditions,
her research shows, are related to the health of
the blood vessels – the arteries and veins – in
your brain.
A growing number of researchers share Dr.
Black’s view. This shift in opinion suggests an
exciting possibility – namely, that controlling
risk factors such as hypertension and high
cholesterol could help prevent or delay forms
of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
The challenge will be to identify people
in the early stages of the disease, so that they
can take steps to reduce risk.
Through the ongoing Sunnybrook
Dementia Study, started in 1995, Dr. Black
has collected brain scans of more than 1,000
patients with dementia. In addition, she’s
attempted to link the patients’ brain scans
with changes in their memory and behaviour,
and comparing them to scans of healthy aging
brains.
These scans have revealed the widespread
nature of silent strokes – strokes that cause
no obvious symptoms, but leave behind small
holes in the brain.
“A quarter of Canadians 65 and older have
these tiny areas of dead brain tissue,” says Dr.
Black. Unlike major strokes which result in
dramatic, almost immediate paralysis or loss
of speech, silent strokes can cause a gradual, cumulative decline in mental abilities.
Another condition that affects the small blood
vessels of the brain causes partial brain injury
that appears as small white dots or patches,
and is present to some degree in 95% of the
elderly.
Her imaging research, funded in part by
the Canadian Institutes of Health Research,
has laid the groundwork for the possibility of
When to seek medical help for
BACK PAIN
If you have acute back pain that persists or
worsens after about a week, consult a doctor.
Persistent lower back pain could signal an
underlying medical condition such as an
infection, fracture or even cancer. Also
seek medical help if you:
▶▶ Have severe pain that lasts
for longer than a day or
two
▶▶ Can’t stand or walk
comfortably
▶▶ Feel weakness in the legs
or numbness in the genital
or rectal area
▶▶ Feel a shooting pain down
either or both legs
▶▶ Experience bladder or bowel
incontinence or have difficulty starting or stopping
urination
▶▶ Have a history of
osteoporosis
Source: HealthAfter50.com
using brain scans as an early detection and
screening tool for dementia-related changes.
Patients who show these early changes could
then be prescribed tried-and-true stroke
interventions, such as blood pressure medications, exercise and diet changes, to reduce
their risk of dementia.
Source: newscanada.com
Effective ways to
MAINTAIN WEIGHT LOSS
What do people who successfully lose weight –
and then keep it off – have in common? The
National Weight Control Registry (NWCR)
has been investigating that question for
nearly two decades. Created to learn more
about the habits and behaviours of successful dieters, the registry currently includes
more than 10,000 people who lost at least 30
pounds and kept the weight off for at least one
year. Interviews with registry members reveal
a number of practices which most of them
follow. These include:
◆ C
ounting calories
◆ C
onsuming a low-fat,
“good”-carbohydrate diet
◆ E
ating breakfast almost every day
◆ W
eighing themselves at least once a week
◆ K
eeping track of what they eat and their
physical activity
◆ E
xercising at least once a week (and usually
more often – with walking as the favourite
activity)
◆ W
atching less than one hour of TV daily
Source: HealthAfter50.com
Longevity
Longevity and Sleep
W
e all know how rejuvenated we feel after a great
night’s sleep, but do you realize that a good
night’s rest can also help you to live longer?
Being tired can affect our moods (as in “we woke up on
the wrong side of the bed”) and can slow down reflexes
(risky business, when it comes to operating a car, etc.).
It can also have effects on your cardiovascular health.
WebMD suggests that as many as 90% of people with
insomnia also suffer from another health condition.
In one study, researchers followed more than 21,000 twins
for more than 22 years. (About.com explains that twins
make ideal research subjects because most of them grew
up in the same environment and have similar genetic So how much sleep is enough? While there’s no clear-cut
composition. Accordingly, researchers can isolate the formula for assessing good versus bad sleep, the National
impact of a behaviour, such as sleep duration, on an Sleep Foundation in the U.S. recommends that those who
outcome, such as longevity.) What the researchers found are aged 26-64 should ideally get seven to nine hours of
was that if people slept for fewer than seven hours a night sleep and those who are 65+ require seven to eight hours.
or more than eight hours a night, they had an increased
risk of death. For short-sleeping women, that increase was One of the biggest complaints from baby boomers is
21% and for men it was 26%; for long-sleeping women, having trouble sleeping, whether they mean that it’s chalthe increase was 17% and for men it was 24%. If the lenging to fall asleep in the first place or that it’s difficult
participants reported using sleep medications, their risk to fall into a deep sleep (or to sleep through the night).
for death also increased. Also, over the course of the study, There are many natural remedies that can encourage
30% of the participants changed their sleep habits, the catching more Zs. Melatonin is a popular go-to remedy
most common change being shifting from stable sleep for sleeplessness and can be found at most pharmacies.
to short or long sleep, and these shifts were also linked Your mother’s tried-and-true glass of warm milk can help,
to increased risk of mortality.
as can magnesium or Valerian root (check with your
doctor before starting any new supplement).
Sleep also affects other facets of our lives that, in turn,
impact our longevity. For example, lack of sleep can have It’s worth seeking out ways to encourage sleep when you
negative repercussions on our immune systems, putting see the huge advantages of getting a good night’s rest. Stop
us at an increased risk of getting sick. Gaiam (a manu- saying, “I’ll sleep when I die…” because it’s precisely this
facturer of yoga products) reported on a recent study sleep that can help extend your lifespan. So fluff up that
by scientists at the Archives of Internal Medicine who pillow, get comfortable and start counting those sheep…
found that, of the 153 men and women who participated, one… two…
those who slept less than seven hours a night on average
were three times more likely to get sick than those who
averaged at least eight hours.
people slept
for fewer
than seven
hours a night
or more than
eight hours
a night…had
an increased
risk of death
Fitness
by Jennifer Cox
Strike
a pose
why yoga is helping
seniors get (back)
into shape
Y
oga has been a popular go-to exercise regimen no time. Perhaps you’ve always had an active lifestyle, so
for a wide range of people, and baby boomers you’re already in tiptop shape, but you haven’t tried yoga
are no exception. The perfect physical activity before. Either way, yoga can provide a fantastic amount
for experts and novices alike, yoga offers a multitude of of stress relief as well as physical fine-tuning so that you
benefits to help improve mind, body and soul…and has stay that much more active.
done so for centuries.
Yoga is usually done on the floor on a yoga mat but,
Yoga dates back as far as the 5th or 6th century, and has for those who have more limited movement, yoga can
various schools of thought, each emphasizing diverse be done sitting in a chair – many yoga poses can simply
elements of daily life. It has been used in different religions be adjusted. The same can be said about an injury or
and to treat myriad illnesses.
weakness – if you lack strength, for example, in your
One of the best things about yoga is that it’s for every- legs, then a squatting or lunging pose can be modified
one – you don’t need to be in great physical shape and to accommodate.
can be a complete beginner, and you’ll still catch on in
The perks
There’s a reason why so many people turn to
yoga to stay healthy – there’s a laundry list
of reasons it’s such a great form of exercise.
Yoga can help to:
■■ improve your range of motion, your
flexibility, and build up your strength
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
create and maintain strong bones
keep your mind sharp
increase your energy
improve circulation and blood flow
help you get a better night’s sleep
minimize chronic pain (it may not
eliminate it, but it can definitely help to
improve it)
■■ reduce stress
■■ enhance your respiratory function
Getting started
Many local gyms offer yoga classes, among
others, and there are also dozens of dedicated
yoga studios out there. A lot of these facilities
will offer a free trial class, so try a few out at
different places. Some studios specialize in
specific types of yoga as well, so find one that
you find to be both enjoyable and beneficial.
Talk to the instructor and tell him or her
about any health problems which you may
be experiencing – that way, they can correct
you on a pose if you’re doing it incorrectly
so as to avoid injury or further damage to
the afflicted area.
Don’t overdo it or push yourself too much
or you could end up getting hurt and setting
yourself back even further. Yoga is all about
slow, fluid movement, so listen to your body
throughout your yoga session and you’ll
experience the true benefits of this ancient
form of exercise.
Book Review
Written in My Own Heart’s Blood
Diana Gabaldon
Doubleday Canada
Written in My Own Heart’s Blood is the eighth in the
series of big, fat, romantic/sci-fi/historical novels that
was introduced 23 years ago with the publication of
“Outlanders” by Diana Gabaldon. It’s ironic that this
book, which Diana wrote as a practice project (just to
see if she could), has become a publishing phenomenon:
20 million copies sold worldwide, and translated into
many languages.
Because of the huge, devoted fan base, a successful television series premiered this summer and guided tours of
Scotland with Outlander fans from around the world are
now being advertised.
Because Outlander was a practice project for Gabaldon,
she felt free to do anything – time travel, for instance. I
knew that I was hooked from the moment Claire Beauchamp Randall, an English ex-combat nurse, walked
through a stone circle in the Scottish Highlands in 1946
and disappeared…into 1743…caught in the skirmishes
of the Jacobite rebellion then in progress. One critic has
written: “These books have to be word-of-mouth books
because they’re too weird to describe.”
Even the beginning of Jamie and Claire’s affair was traumatically weird. A group of Scots Highlanders rescued
Claire from a sadistic British officer on patrol. For her own
protection, Claire was forced to marry one of the young
Scottish clansmen. Of course, this turned out to be the
handsome, larger-than-life, red-haired warrior named
Jamie. At first, both were angry and reluctant, but they
soon fell deeply in love and committed to each other. This
tender but incendiary relationship continues unabated
through European wars, pioneer life in America and seven
fat novels. Diana’s reaction, when challenged about the
impossibility of making readers interested in romantic,
passionate sex between older folks: “Just watch me!”
One of the delights of the series is watching Claire, the
ingenious healer, combine the professional medical knowledge which she brought with her through the stories and
use it with whatever was available to help people wherever
she was. Her herb collecting alone provides an interesting
short course in medicinal herbs. Her favourite collecting
spot was Bartram Garden in Philadelphia. It’s still a tourist
attraction there today, as it was in the 1770s.
In 1778, Philadelphia was a city of intrigue and divided
loyalties. Double agents were making discreet efforts to
keep the French government from forming an alliance
with American colonies and teenagers were enlisting in
the Rebel militia.
Willa McLean is a
freelance writer who
lives in Brampton.
The British army was withdrawing from the city, followed by a mule train of baggage wagons, 12 miles long,
containing the worldly goods of some of the wealthiest
Loyalists – those hoping to settle in England. Gabaldon
draws a compelling picture of the vast spectacle; the
heat and humidity, the cloud of dust that could be seen
for miles. I was moved by a little vignette: “a homely
earthenware chamber pot, stuffed with handkerchiefs,
stockings…and a jewel case” this was perched “higgledly,
piggledy” on top of a wagon owned by a wealthy family
who had recently entertained English officers at an elegant
ball. There is no dignity in defeat.
Diana Gabaldon is a scientist and a true scholar. She has
concocted a winning formula of fantasy, lusty Roman
adventure and history with her irreverent, bawdy sense
of humour; but it’s the large dollop of meticulous research
and the scholastic integrity which she’s included that have
led to the prolonged and continuing success of the Outlander series. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood especially,
just pulses with the chaos, conflict and passion involved
with the creation of a new society. In Europe, Enlightenment philosophers could only discuss the sudden tidal
wave of human yearning for individual freedom and
change. In the colonies, change could actually be written
into laws and constitutions by Revolutionary political
leaders and thinkers. A new world of possibilities.
Gabaldon’s wonderful characters portray all facets of this
great debate. But whichever side, there had to be total
commitment. Our Jamie was a moving example of this
commitment. Claire was furious when Jamie showed up
in full regalia of the Continental Army. He had planned
to return to their home in North Carolina, retrieve his
printing press and continue his support of the Rebels
with his pen. Jamie’s response to Claire: “Do ye think
because ye’ve told me that the Rebels will win, that I’m
free to walk away?”
It is rumoured that there will be a Book 9. My only
suggestion is that main characters should remain in the
same century. I didn’t enjoy Rogers’ long interlude back
in old Scotland, away from Brianna and the children.
You do become emotionally involved with these people.
It’s never just a book!
The Outlander books
by Diana Gabaldon
have been turned
into a T.V. series now
in its second half of
season one.
Food and drink
Black is the
New Green!
B
lack foods possess greater amounts of antioxidants
due to their colour, along with other vitamins and
minerals. In the black food category, I include red
wines made from black grapes. “Black grapes” is a general
category describing the colour of the skin of the grapes.
Let’s start with the list of black foods worth incorporating
into your diet.
Blackberries: This berry has some of the highest
antioxidant levels of any fruit. Some of its antioxidants
include anthocyanins (associated with lowering the risk
of certain cancers, while improving memory function
and a healthy urinary tract), Quercetin, Catechins and
Gallic Acid. Blackberries are also a great source of fibre,
vitamin C and phytochemicals (disease-fighting as well).
Black Rice: Take black rice, for example. Its bran
hull contains significantly higher amounts of vitamin
E, bolstering the immune system and protecting cells
from free-radical damage. Black rice also possesses more
anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries, according to
a study from the Louisiana State University Agricultural
Center. It is a whole grain packed with a range of vitamin
Bs, calcium for bone health, magnesium for muscle and
lung tissue health and zinc for healing powers. Black
rice is also loaded with fibre and protein and has low
glycemic value.
Keep in mind that black rice does not cook well in a
rice cooker. Rinse the rice two or three times to remove
surface starches. To cook the rice, add one cup of water or
stock to a ½ cup of rice. Put both the rice and the water
in the pot at the same time. Bring the water to a boil and
reduce the heat to low. Simmer the rice until all the water
is absorbed…about 25 minutes. Turn off the heat and let
the rice sit in the hot pot for another 15 minutes.
Black Beluga lentils: A cup of black lentils, also a super
food, is packed with 16 grams of cholesterol-lowering,
digestive-building and blood stabilizing fibre, 18 grams
of muscle-building protein, 40 grams of carbohydrates,
less than 1 gram of fat and only 230 calories. One cup of
this superfood is also loaded with folate and magnesium,
thus reducing the risk of heart disease. In fact, researchers
who studied the elderly found that consuming lentils and
other legumes was the single most important dietary
secret to living a long life!
The great thing about this lentil variety is that the tiny
lentils retain their shape after cooking. To cook them, sift
through the lentils to remove any hard particles. Rinse
them under cold water until the water runs clean. Add two
cups of water to one cup of lentils. If you add too much
water, you will leach the lentils of their colour. Place both
in a pot together. Add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, and
then reduce the heat to low and simmer the lentils until
they are tender, about 25 minutes.
Black Beans: Black beans are packed with bioflavonoids – potent, plant-based nutrients that may protect
against cancer, research out of Cornell University reveals.
They also contain high-quality fibre and protein to move
food through the stomach to the large intestine at a
healthy-for-our-body pace. The steady movement of the
fibre and protein through the digestive tract allows for
the food to break down more slowly, thus regulating our
blood sugar. The fibre also helps to remove bad cholesterol from your body. Black beans also contain a wide
variety of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,
helping to fight cardiovascular disease. Antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory protection is important for our cardiovascular system. When blood vessels are exposed
to excessive oxidative stress or inflammation, our risk
increases for this disease.
Wines from Black Grapes: In European countries,
more than in North America, wine is considered a food.
And, in my opinion, wine qualifies as a super food because
of its outstanding health benefits. But wine grapes with
black skin have significant health benefits. I agree with
the researchers and scientists who believe that wine consumed in moderation is healthy and medicinal. Doctors
suggest four ounces per day for women and no more
than eight ounces per day for men. Wine, in general,
when consumed in moderation (defined by the American
Heart Association as one to two four-ounce glasses a day)
has proven through studies to promote longevity, all the
while lowering the risks of heart attacks, heart disease,
strokes, Type 2 diabetes, gallstones, cataracts, colon cancer
and mental decline.
Darker-coloured grapes contain higher levels of anthocyanin pigments. This gives them their red, purple and
blue colours and adds to their level of antioxidant activity.
Food and drink
In this black category, purple grapes have more antioxidant power than red grapes. So Cabernet Sauvignon
grapes are richer in antioxidants than Merlot, at least
according to a 2011 study published in ‘Biotechnology
& Biotechnology Equipment’.
Polyphenols are antioxidant compounds in grapes
that influence their colour and taste. A new 2009 study
published in ‘Food Chemistry’ revealed a powerful relationship between antioxidants and phenolic levels. Of
the 37 wines studied, Cabernet contained the greatest
number of antioxidants.
Resveratrol is another antioxidant found in red wine.
According to the National Cancer Institute, this antioxidant reduces the growth of tumours and the spread
of cancer cells. In a 2003 study published in ‘Drugs
Under Experimental and Clinical Research’ of the 19
red wines studied, Merlot had the highest concentration
of resveratrol.
New research in Germany has shown that the resveratrol present in black grape skins and red wine is believed
to reduce the number of fat cells and may be used to treat
and prevent obesity.
Red wines, more than whites, usually contain more
alcohol. Alcohol, when consumed in moderation, raises
your levels of good HDL cholesterol and helps to
prevent blood clots and protects your arteries from
the damage caused by bad LDL cholesterol. The
alcohol in wine has antibacterial power as well and
can help prevent against the common cold. Remember, red wine and its alcohol is only healthy when
consumed in moderation and with food.
by Shari Darling
Black-Skinned Grapes Include:
Argentina: Bonarda wines have lots of flavours
of blackberries, strawberries and red currants on
the nose and palate.
Chile: Carmenere is Chile’s black grape, originating in Bordeaux, France. The flavours are
blackberry and spice with well-rounded tannins.
Italy: Primitivo comes from Puglia in Southern Italy, possessing lots of sour cherry character.
Australia: Shiraz, also known as Syrah, has
smooth character and blackberry and peppery
tones.
Spain: Tempranillo has flavours of chocolate,
cherries, prunes and tobacco. Its thick skin and
deep colour give it a high anthocyanin count.
For more information on
wine and food, go to
www.sharidarling.com
Chilled Picnic Blackberry Pie
Serves 6 to 8
Granola Seed Topping:*
½ cup slivered almonds
½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup pumpkin seeds
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
½ cup sesame seeds
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup Stevia
2 tbsp butter
pinch ground clove
pinch ground nutmeg
pinch ground cinnamon
1 frozen or freshly homemade pie crust (or
gluten-free)
Filling:
¼ cup water
5 quarts fresh blackberries, washed
½ cup Stevia (granulated)**
2 tablespoons cornstarch (or gluten-free)
2 small packages of Knox unflavoured
gelatine (or Agar Agar)
2 tbsp cold water
2 tbsp warm water
juice from 1 lime
T
o make granola, preheat oven to 325F.
Cover baking sheet with parchment
paper. In a bowl, combine all granola ingredients, except the cranberries. In
a small saucepan, melt butter with Stevia.
Pour granola mixture over butter. Combine
well. Pour mixture onto baking sheet. Bake for
25 minutes or until mixture is golden. Turn
several times, so that all of the nuts can be
browned. Add the dried cranberries and cook
for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and
let cool. Once cooled, set in an airtight jar and
refrigerate until needed.
To bake crust, preheat oven to 425F. Fill
sheet of foil or parchment paper with pie
weights, dried beans or even uncooked rice
to hold it in place. This weight helps the pie
dough hold its shape. Place the crust in a pie
plate. Put the pie weight into the pie crust.
Bake crust for 20 minutes and then remove
it from the oven. Take out the pie weights.
Lower the oven temperature to 375F. Return
the pie to the oven to bake for an additional
15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and cool completely.
To make filling, put ¼ cup of water into a
medium-sized pot. Add berries. Add Stevia.
Add lime juice. Bring to a boil. Lower heat
to low and simmer, stirring occasionally for
40 to 45 minutes until mixture is reduced by
one-quarter. Add cornstarch. Stir, allowing it
to thicken. Remove filling from heat. Transfer
to a clean bowl. Let cool.
To add gelatine, sprinkle the granules of
gelatine over the surface of the cold water in
a small bowl. Do not dump them in a pile,
as the granules in the middle won’t dissolve.
Let stand for 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons
of warm water to the small bowl of gelatine
and water until it dissolves. Stir this gelatine
mixture back into the larger bowl of pie filling.
Pour filling over pie crust.
Finishing: Sprinkle the entire top of the
pie with granola mixture. Cover the pie
with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least
2 hours. Serve with whipped cream.
Suggested wine: Pair this dessert with
blackberry fruit wine. Make sure that the
wine is sweeter than the pie.
*This recipe makes a large amount of granola
that you can use for other recipes, or to snack on
when hungry.
** Add more Stevia if you like a sweeter pie.
If you dislike Stevia, try coconut palm sugar.
CSA Online
by Andrew Moore-Crispin
WEARING
YOUR
TECH
on (or just under) your sleeve.
If you haven’t heard the term
“wearables” pop up already, it’s a
safe bet that you soon will.
Not to make too fine a point of
it, but the term just “popped up.”
CES is the big consumer technology trade show, held every year in
Las Vegas, NV. If I had to pick just
one big take-away trend from this
year’s International CES, it was
wearables. This year, the show
floor was awash with them.
Before we go any further, let’s
define what, exactly, makes a
wearable. Broadly, it’s any piece
of technology that you put on
your body, as opposed to in a
pocket or purse. Watches and
other wrist-worn wearables are
perhaps the most prevalent (and
least obtrusive) examples.
Wearables are the narrow end
of the wedge of “ubiquitous
computing.” That’s the idea of
computing being everywhere,
to the point at which we don’t
even think about it. Instead of
firing up the home computer,
smartphone or tablet to get
information, information is
presented proactively. No need
to specifically check the weather
or get a review of the restaurant
you’re about to walk into. The
information that helps you
make a decision is presented
proactively, precisely when you
need it, without your having to
specifically request it.
That’s the idea, anyway. We’re not
there yet. It also remains to be
seen how keen we “consumers,”
as the people who ultimately
decide if a product or category
is a success or failure, are on the
concept. That said, we’ve all seen
how tomorrow’s technology has
an uncanny knack of becoming
today’s.
Enough about what wearables
may one day be. Let’s look, instead,
at what wearables are now.
Fitbit Charge HR
US$179.95
fitbit.com/chargehr
Focused exclusively on fitness, as the company name suggests, Fitbit has been making fitness wearables that started
out as, to oversimplify things grossly, glorified pedometers.
– to let you know how efficiently you’re sleeping. It
can also be used as a silent vibrating alarm that lets
one person get up without waking the entire house.
The Fitbit Charge HR (heart rate) maintains the fitness
focus of earlier Fitbit wearables and adds heart rate monitoring to the mix. It tracks workouts, as well as general
daily activity such as walking, and can even log what you
eat throughout the day. It lets you set daily fitness goals and
gives you insight into how you’re doing. What’s more, it
monitors your sleep – how much you’re tossing and turning
Fitbit Charge HR syncs up with your computer or
the official smartphone app for Apple, Android
and Windows Phone. This app lets you chart your
progress overall and toward specific goals which
you’ve created. If a call comes in on your phone, you’ll also
be alerted on your wrist.
Samsung Gear VR
US$200
samsung.com/gearvr
Samsung’s Gear VR (virtual reality) is a bit more out there
than the other wearables which we’re covering here, insofar
as I can’t imagine anyone actually wearing it out of the house.
This is basically a plastic shell for the Samsung Galaxy Note
4. Snap the phone in place, load up one of the Samsung VR
apps (admittedly few and far between at this point) and take
a different, much more all-encompassing view using your
smartphone’s screen.
The Gear splits your screen in two and, with two lenses,
focuses each of your eyes on a different part of the screen.
The result is a 96° field of view and an impressive and
immersive 3D view of the virtual worlds which Samsung’s
Gear VR apps offer up.
You can watch a movie trailer in a virtual
environment that actually feels like a movie
theatre, take a uniquely personal look at our
solar system or play an immersive 3D game.
Gear VR uses your phone’s smarts, like the
various gyroscopes and accelerometers that
every modern phone contains, to determine where you’re
looking, how you’re tilting your head, and it adjusts the
scene accordingly.
If you’re looking for an option that works with many more
Android phones, which doesn’t have all the features of Gear
VR but costs a heck of a lot less, check out the Google
Cardboard project (google.com/cardboard).
CSA Online
LG G Watch R
US$299.99
lg.com/global/gwatch
While a lot of wrist-based wearables look nothing at all
like the watches which we’ve worn for years, LG G Watch
R proudly proclaims that “design has come full circle.”
The G Watch R has no trouble fitting in by looking, as it
does, very much like a typical watch.
Tap the watch face, which is actually a capacitive touch
screen, and you see that things are a little different. Tapping the screen brings you from checking the time to
interacting with your watch. Get everything from weather,
stocks, breaking news, messages, e-mails, even turn-byturn navigation directions and more, right on your wrist.
Swipe up and down through screens then put your palm
over the screen to put it into a power-saving mode.
Like just about every other wearable under
the sun, there’s a fitness angle here too. A
heart rate monitor, like the one on the Fitbit
we talked about earlier, couples with fitness
and sleep hygiene apps to give you an idea of
how you’re doing.
The LG G Watch R, like the crop of smart watches coming
out from the likes of Motorola, Samsung and Asus, is
based on the Android Wear platform. This means that no
matter which Android Wear watch you get from which
manufacturer, the experience is largely the same.
Apple Watch
US$349.00 - US$17,000
apple.com/watch
Wearables started getting more attention when Apple
mentioned that it was stepping into the smart watch fray.
The company pays a lot of attention to design, and that
focus is evident in the Apple Watch. Just looking at it, you
can tell. The Apple Watch is all subtle curves and polish.
Where some other smart watches are plasticky affairs, this
one harkens to the watch as luxury and as a statement.
Heart rate monitor: Check (plus the rather neat ability to
share your heartbeat with someone else’s Apple Watch as
a special kind of instant message). Fitness focus: Check
(plus the ability to link back to an iPhone to
share data). Voice control: Check (using the
same Siri language which iPhone and iPad
users already know).
It’s the most expensive of all the smart watch
options that we’ve seen, even more so if you’re
look at the “Edition” models in 18K gold, but
that’s par for the course with Apple devices. So much so
that we tech industry folks tend to just call it the “Apple
tax.”
Google Glass
$No longer on sale
More a social experiment than a vision for the future (or,
really, viable product), Google Glass demonstrated the
search giant’s thoughts on how we might interact with
technology without having to pull our phones out of
our pockets. More to the point, without having to pull
ourselves out of the moment.
Glass is a project that has wrapped. When it launched,
however, it let people buy a Google Glass headset for
$1,500. This headset was basically a micro-sized computer
in what looked like a larger eyeglasses frame. A prism
projection display turned the Google Glass interface
into a sort of heads-up display: You can see the screen
in the top right of
your normal field of
vision when you need to, but
you can also ignore it easily when you don’t.
Say “OK Glass” followed by “get directions” or “take a
picture” or “record a video” or “Hangout (video chat) with
a friend,” etc., and Glass would make it happen.
While the idea may seem a little too “out there” to be something which we can see ourselves using today, some of the
core technologies in Glass are already appearing elsewhere:
Snowboarding and skiing goggles, for example, and in
motorcycle helmets such as the Skully AR-1 (skully.com).
Moore’s Law and further miniaturization mean that you really never know what might be the
new norm in five, 10 or 20 years.
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Before you travel – talk to Canada’s only “real” choice for
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1-888-MEDIPAC • WWW.MEDIPAC.COM
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Designed exclusively for members of the Canadian Snowbird Association
CSA
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2
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CSA News Spring 2015 (No. 94) Edition Candidates
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These Outside the Box puzzles will definitely tease your brain!
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Can you guess them all?
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Grins & Giggles
Sailing vs. Shopping
After we had lunch with another couple, the women went
shopping and the men opted to go sailing. Bad decision –
a storm blew in while we men were out on the water.
Making matters worse, the tide had gone out,
grounding the boat. We had to climb overboard
and shove it back into deep water.
As my friend stood there – ankle-deep in muck,
muscles straining against the weight of the boat, and
rain pelting his face – he grinned broadly and, with
unmistakable sincerity, said, “Sure beats shopping!”
Hearing Loss
I’d noticed that my 60-year-old
father seemed to be losing his
hearing, so I mentioned it to my
mother.
“Things
haven’t changed
that much,”
she said. “Only
difference is,
before, he didn’t
listen. Now, he
can’t.”
Will You Still
Love Me?
Ah, marriage. I was standing in front
of the bathroom mirror one evening
admiring my reflection, when I posed
this question to my wife of 30 years:
“Will you still love me when I’m old, fat
and balding?”
She answered, “I do.”
RIGHT ANSWER
Jack wakes up with a horrible hangover and a throbbing black
eye. The first thing he sees is a single rose on the side table
and a note from his wife: “Dear, breakfast is made. I’ve gone
shopping to make you your favourite dinner tonight. I love
you!”
He stumbles to the kitchen and, sure enough, there’s
breakfast. “Joe,” he says to his son, “what happened last night?”
“You came home soused and got that black eye tripping over
a chair.”
“So, why the rose, breakfast and sweet note from your
mother?”
“Oh, that. Mom dragged you to the bedroom and, when she
tried to take off your clothes, you screamed, ‘Leave me alone,
I’m married!’”
Fast Facts
Foot Facts
1949
In
Newfoundland
became Canada’s
tenth province
▶▶ When walking, each
time your heel lifts off
the ground it forces the
toes to carry one half of
your body weight.
Provincial
flower
▶▶ In a pair of feet, there are
250,000 sweat glands.
Pitcher Plant
▶▶ A human foot & ankle is a strong
mechanical structure that contains 26
bones, 33 joints, and more than 100
muscles, tendons & ligaments.
▶▶ Walking is the best exercise for your feet.
It contributes to your general health by
improving circulation and weight control.
▶▶ The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000
steps a day, which adds up to about 115,000
miles over a lifetime.
▶▶ 1/4 of all the bones in the human body are
down in your feet. When these bones are out
of alignment, so is the rest of the body.
▶▶ Fingernails and toenails grow faster during
hot weather, pregnancy and teenage years.
The record for the
world’s largest feet
belongs to Matthew
McGrory who wears
US size 28 ½ shoes.
The average men’s
size is 10 ½.
Facts
Newfoundland’s main
exports are oil, fish
products, newsprint,
iron ore and electricity
Provincial bird
Atlantic Puffin
Provincial tree
Black Spruce
Provincial
motto
quaerite
prime
regnum
dei
Seek ye first the
Kingdom of God
A transatlantic
telegraph cable
was laid on
the bottom
of the ocean
from Ireland to
Heart’s Content,
Newfoundland
in 1866
Signal Hill is where Italian inventor
Guglielmo Marconi received the
first wireless signal from across
the Atlantic Ocean in 1901
Newfoundland
and Labrador’s
coat of arms
was granted by
King Charles I in 1637
Population in 2013
526,700
Answers to Outside the Box
Puzzles from page 44
1. Sunflower
2. All-Star line-up
3. Harry Potter
4. Cross-border shopping
5. Apartments
6. Out of sync
C S A P R E S I D E N T ’ S A WA R D H O N O U R E E S
Instituted in 2003, the association has created an annual president’s award – to be presented at the annual general meeting or other suitable
event – to recognize members who have served the association in an outstanding volunteer capacity, thereby making a significant contribution
to the success of the association.
Ruth Parnham
Dick and Dorothy Kitching
John Bell
Nancy Richards
In response to the shooting of
three RCMP officers last spring
in Moncton, NB, Pat and Brian
Irving held a charity fund raiser.
They raised more than $385,000
to go towards the families of the
slain officers.
David Horsman (not shown: Helen)
Guy Tremblay
Pat and Brian Irving
Not pictured: Alex and Donna Potter, Doris Allan
Snowbird Currency
Exchange Program
The Snowbird Currency Exchange Program is
designed specifically for the snowbird lifestyle.
It’s that unique!
Join ranks with thousands of satisfied snowbirds
who transfer money from Canada to the U.S. at
exclusive, preferred exchange rates with little or no
fees. It works with all major financial institutions, and
the transfers are automatic.
The Snowbird Currency Exchange Program is the
ultimate in cross-border banking for Canadian
snowbirds. The program enables you to transfer
money automatically from your regular Canadian
chequing account to your U.S.-based bank account.
The rest is up to you!
You can specify which months and what amounts
you want to transfer, or you can have the same
amount transferred every month on a continuous
basis.
Proven by thousands of snowbirds
What makes this program really unique is that we
pool the funds of every enrolled snowbird and
complete a single bulk transaction. This grants us
access to bulk exchange rates otherwise unavailable
to the consumer, and we pass the savings on to you.
Unlike most exchange programs, the Snowbird
Currency Exchange Program will not subject you to
additional fees when your funds are transferred to
your U.S. bank account. It’s that good!
The Snowbird Currency Exchange Program – it’s
convenient, secure, trusted by thousands and worry-free.
1-800-265-3200
For information please call the CSA or download
the application from www.snowbirds.org
It’s an Adventure - Plan Your Tour
Pay for 5-days, Stay for 7-days. 5-2015 to 12-2015.
Use promo CSAN online. Cattail Cove State Park
Use promo CSAN online. Roper Lake Recreation Area
Use promo CSAN online. Lost Dutchman State Park
Use promo CSAN online. Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Use promo CSAN online. Patagonia Lake State Park
Save $15
OFF
Save $1.50 Per Night Of Camping. 5-2015 to 5-2016.
Use promo CSA online. Lyman Lake State Park
ONE WEEKDAY OF CAMPING
CSAN
Must stay 5 days at any Arizona State RV Park and Save $15.
Surrender this coupon to the park. No other discounts accepted.
Can not be used for online reservations. Expires: May 1, 2016
Online Reservations 24/7 at
AZStateParks.com
Reservation Center at
(520) 586-2283 7- days a week,
from 8am - 5pm MST.

PDF - Canadian Snowbird Association

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