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Tuesday, 08 May 2012 00:00 |
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| The Central Okanagan Hospice House, located at 2035 Ethel Street in Kelowna, owes much to its dedicated volunteers. |
This article is from the May 2012 Issue of Forever Young
by Jennifer Smith
“I walked into the hospital room. She looked at me with deep sadness and incredible fear. When her face turned back to look on her husband of 55 years, it softened with the tenderness of protection and care. I asked if I could sit with them. Relief breathed out of her and she offered the chair beside her.
“As her husband drifted into a restless sleep she quietly shared her fears and confusion with the tragic events that had been forced upon her since she first heard the word, ‘terminal;’ I listened and then just held her aged, softened hand.
“I will forever remember the beautiful picture of this tiny woman cuddled up to the love of her life as he lay in his final hours.
“My heart was sad, but truly richer. Thank you for letting me be touched by your love and your sorrow.”
Ruth Young, the 20-year veteran of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association who penned this passage, began volunteering to help the dying and their families come to terms with the last stage of life under the encouragement of her mother, a hospice volunteer in the Lower Mainland.
Her mother had shared with her how much the hours she spent with people were needed and how she learned from spending time with each and every one as they faced death or the death of a loved one.
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Tuesday, 10 April 2012 00:00 |
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| Completing the tradition, Forever Young columnist William Thomas dips his well-worn walking shoe in the North Sea at Robin Hood’s Bay. |
This article is from the April 2012 Issue of Forever Young
A walk across England coast to coast to mark a 65th birthday
by William Thomas
“And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon England’s mountains green?”
– Milton
They were wrapped in SmartWool socks and snuggled in Gore-Tex shoes but yes, as a matter of fact they did. But it wasn’t all that long ago.
On the first Sunday in October, I set out from St. Bees, on England’s northwest coast, to walk the breadth of the country, from Irish Sea to North Sea, a trek of 192 miles.
Why would a man celebrate his 65th birthday with a punishing 14-day march over rugged mountains and barren moors, up and down 29,000 feet of rocky paths and heathered fields?
I love to hike and writer Alfred Wainwright’s Coast To Coast Walk along England’s wild and pristine footpaths has intrigued me for years. Designed to engage nature and avoid civilization, the path cuts across the mountainous Lake District, through forests and streams of the Yorkshire Dales and across the bleak and barren knolls of the North York Moors. Three national parks, two weeks, one backpack, a guidebook, compass, map and Swiss Army knife – everything a rambler needs for a fortnight of freedom on foot.
It was drizzling through sunshine the morning of Oct. 2 when, following tradition, I dipped my foot in the Irish Sea, snatched a good-luck pebble from the beach and climbed up the 300-foot sandstone cliffs at St. Bees. I was on a milestone mission.
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Monday, 12 March 2012 00:00 |
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| Coal Mine Canyon bordering the Painted Desert in the Navajo Reservation in northern Arizona. |
This article is from the March 2012 Issue of Forever Young
Snowbirds wintering in Arizona shouldn’t miss the chance to explore the glorious, colourful rocky canyons and deserts of the north
by Anne Gordon
In Arizona, with its red rock monoliths, slot canyons and cliffs splashed with orange, mustard and sunburst yellow, it seemed as if a celestial artist in a fit of manic creativity painted the desert with a fiery brush.
Sacred to the Navajo and Hopi who have lived here for centuries, monoliths may be the most visible of Arizona’s famous rocks, but buried deep in what appears to be barren terrain is another rare treasure. Turquoise together with white shell, abalone and jet is also sacred to the Navajo.
Shepherds in the past believed that turquoise promoted fertility in their herds. A hunter carrying turquoise was assured of a bountiful hunt. If you see a Navajo with a bracelet encrusted with turquoise or wearing turquoise earrings, it’s because ancient tradition stipulates that this stone serves as a form of protection. Squash blossom jewellery, beads, rings and bracelets made from turquoise are a fashionable choice for Navajo women.
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Thursday, 09 February 2012 00:00 |
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| Managers of the Southern Interior Wendy’s joined Steve Tuck from the Sunshine Foundation to say farewell to the Orange County sheriffs at the airport in Kelowna. |
This article is from the February 2012 Issue of Forever Young
Who would have dreamed 18 years ago, when Wendy’s DreamLift Day started with one restaurant and raised $10,500 that it would grow to raise $114,276.35 in a single day? That was this year’s total!
But then, who could have imagined the “magic” that happens on the last Wednesday every January in the Southern Interior of B.C.?
It can’t be said enough: I truly don’t know of any philanthropic gesture that matches these nine Wendys. To donate everything for the day — all their wages, salaries and profits is unheard of.
This year was very special --- topping One Million Dollars raised over the 18 years. Wendy Thomas herself and 7 Orange County Sheriff representatives flew in to help celebrate this milestone. It truly is a milestone, not only in the amount raised, but also in how the event is self-sustaining. It doesn’t just keep going; it keeps growing!
The result, as you all know is that there will be a planeload of very special kids who get to fly to see Minnie and Mickey every other year!!! WOW! (The last left Kelowna last month, on December 6th, with excitement flowing everywhere.)
And, it’s all because of all of you. For some of you, it involved a very long wait to support our charity. Excitedly announcing “I’ve been here from the third year,” or… “I’ve been here from….”
To the volunteers who came in to flip hamburgers (and other jobs) THANK YOU. And to all the MEDIA for your wonderful support delivering messages before, during and after the event --- A BIG THANK YOU!
So this note of THANKS is to you all from a lot of very special kids. Many have already had their dream come true, and many more will in the future. On behalf of them....
We all are Gratefully Yours,
Steven Tuck,
Past President,
B.C. Interior Chapter
January 29, 2012
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Monday, 09 January 2012 00:00 |
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| Steven Tuck (right) switches places with John Tietzen (owner of Inland Restaurants) and delivers his Wendy’s lunch. |
by Steven Tuck
This article is from the January 2012 Issue of Forever Young
The 18th Annual Wendy’s DreamLift Day takes place on January 25th. This is an amazing story of generosity and support. It takes place in the B.C. Southern Interior at 9 Wendy’s restaurants from Kamloops, Salmon Arm,Vernon, Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Penticton. The staff and management donate their salaries and wages and all the profits for the day to the Sunshine Foundation - Dreams for Kids.
This has grown from one Wendy’s restaurant to nine Wendy’s restaurants and the total donated each year has grown from $10,500 to $109,382.45 last year.
Wendy Thomas will be attending this year, along with 7 representatives of the Orange County Sheriffs, to mark a very special accomplishment - the total raised over the years will exceed One Million Dollars!
As a former President of the B.C. Interior Chapter of the Sunshine Foundation – Dreams for Kids, I believe this is philanthropy unparalleled by any other. For one company - Inland Restaurants (owner of these nine Wendy’s) - to donate everything for a whole day is unmatched, at least to my knowledge. It is, for Sunshine Foundation, the largest single fund-raising day of any for the whole country.
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