VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ©Werner Lichtenberger ©Werner

Mayor Fred Eisenberger presented the Monarch Awards to winners in September. Full story inside.

From retirement residence to was listen, or go there and reassure her My dad is an upstanding citizen. He that everything would be okay, though I worked for 40 years, paid his taxes, and long-term care: knew it probably wouldn’t be. when he needed the system, it failed him. The PSWs and VON who helped Dad Clearly the system is broken. were excellent but they had so many To help you with your journey to One dad’s heartbreaking journey clients to see and they were run off their placement in long term care, I offer by Kathryn Shanley feet. On the July long weekend, I was the following suggestions from my out of town and got a frantic call in the experience: here’s no way my mom can look the VON (Victoria Order of Nurses). morning from my Mom. The service that • Understand the differences in servi- Tafter my dad. You can’t send him But Mom and Dad lived in a retire- sends the PSWs couldn’t find anyone ces offered by retirement residences home,” I gasped. “She’s 83 with a bad ment residence, not a nursing home. to help Dad after the morning visit. and long-term care facilities. back and he can’t walk!” Retirement residences are not designed He would have to sit in his wheelchair • Call your doctor or the LHIN to The deer-in-the-headlights look on to provide nursing care that Dad needed. until 7 a.m. the following day. They said start the assessment process for your my mother’s weary face echoed my own Because of a pre-existing condition, Dad they’d do their best. Do their best? How loved one. fears. “Our CCAC Co-ordinator (now left the hospital with a catheter, which can you leave an elderly man sitting in • Be polite but persistent and don’t be Local Health Integration Networks – can present its own challenges including a wheelchair for almost 24 hours? After afraid to ask questions. LHIN) will meet you and set up some higher risk of infection for the patient. we pleaded with the co-ordinator, they • Make appointments, visit several services for your dad at home,” she Every time Dad had an infection, he was found someone, but we as a family were long-term care facilities and ask replied. I knew “some services at home” loaded into an ambulance and sent to the prepared to look after my dad. questions. didn’t translate to care 24/7. Panic set in. emergency room where he lay for hours As the months passed we became • Keep in touch with your LHIN What if he falls on her? What if she has on a gurney in an ER hallway alongside revolving ER patients. I remember one case manager and call if you have a heart attack? My dad, 86 and suffering many other elderly patients. winter night huddling in the bay area questions. from Alzheimer’s, had already been as- In the spring, we moved Mom and of the ER—snow blowing in the door, • Financial assistance is available if sessed and was on what seemed like an Dad to a seniors residence in an apart- under a blanket given to us by the para- you qualify. endless list for a long-term care bed. ment so we could save some money for medics, my heart breaking for the four • Don’t give up. After insisting that Dad have an as- when they’d have to live separately. At elderly patients also waiting to be seen The Ontario government has an excel- sessment by the physiotherapist assigned 83 years of age, my Mom, with a heart by the triage nurse, as well as the other lent website: www.ontario.ca/page/ to him at the hospital, the therapist condition and a bad back, became Dad’s patients in the hallways. find-long-term-care-home. It provides agreed it wasn’t safe to send him home primary caregiver. He can’t wash or We started to feel isolated and alone. information about long-term care facili- and he was transferred to another hos- dress himself, use the bathroom, take The hospitals didn’t want us because Dad ties, the cost of a long-term care room, pital in the city for rehab. This was the care of his catheter, or be left alone. He wasn’t sick enough; the seniors residence financial assistance, and how to apply. start of our long and frustrating search needs to be transferred in and out of his could offer only limited help; and we Everyone’s journey is different. With pa- for a long-term care facility in Hamilton. wheelchair. were still patiently waiting to get into a tience and persistence, we found the light Our journey is far from unique. I would love to have had my Mom nursing home. After almost nine months at the end of the tunnel, and so will you. After several weeks in rehab, Dad and Dad live with me, but my sister and of ongoing distress we got the call. Dad regained some strength in his legs, but brother-in-law, both with disabilities, al- was accepted into our first choice of Kathryn Shanley is a content writer and still couldn’t support his weight very ready live with me. There’s just no room. nursing home. The tears rolled down my social media marketer in Hamilton. When well. We were reluctant to leave the A second sister is a single parent who cheeks and I couldn’t catch my breath. she’s not navigating the social media hospital, but were assured we’d have help works full time. Mom would call me, We’d made it. stratosphere, she’s snapping pictures from personal support workers from a crying, in the middle of the night and I His new facility and staff are wonderful around the city or sipping a chai latte at local nursing agency and nurses from felt completely helpless. All I could do and he hasn’t been to the ER in weeks. one of Crown Point’s cozy cafes. 2 THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

SPIRIT OF CROWN POINT

Second, cultivate a curious mind as a way to engage Embracing aging in the aging process. We are creatures of habit and love to keep our routines. However, it’s good to step by Rev. Shelley Smith out of our comfort zone from time to time. Why not take a class, join an action group, become a volunteer. he concept of aging is a challenging topic because Crown Point is becoming a mecca of diverse activities, Twe all have different perspectives. businesses, and volunteer groups so take advantage of all However, our shared humanity includes aging so it offers to us. perhaps the question is, how are we going to engage in Third, spend time with different generations. If you PUBLISHER this aging process in a way that is going to be life-giving are young, spend time with elderly people and vice- Cynthia Lokker for our spirits? I suggest three ways to embrace aging as • versa. We all have our own unique gifts, experiences, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF a beautiful and natural process. and skills to share with the world. Remember that First, no matter what age we are on our spiritual Sean Hurley elderly people were once young with hopes and dreams. • journeys, cultivating an attitude of gratitude is Our elders are a wonderful resource for society. EDITING AND PROOF TEAM important to living with grace, hope, and love. We are hard-wired for connection and connecting Tyler Fish, Jeff Hayward, Sean Hurley, Deborah LeBaron, An older friend of mine shared a story with me Sarah Leyenaar, Tiffany Madden, Michelle Martin, with all ages connects our spirits. Remember we share Elisha Stam, Matt Terry, Bev Wagar last month that was a powerful example of the our humanity and some of us are just further along the transformational aspect of living with gratitude. • journey than others. I end now with the beautiful words DESIGN AND PRODUCTION TEAM She met with five of her former colleagues for lunch. from the song, Circle of Life by Elton John: Johanna Chaytor, Elizabeth Seidl Now in their eighties, they still got together once a • year to share the joys and challenges of aging. They ADVERTISING SALES In the circle of life Cynthia Lokker had become quite boisterous over lunch and my friend It’s the wheel of fortune noticed a middle-aged couple watching them. My friend [email protected] It’s the leap of faith • apologized for being so noisy. The woman responded It’s the band of hope DELIVERY MANAGER the couple were just enjoying watching them enjoy Till we find our place Tim Brand themselves. It gave her hope that as they aged they too • On the path unwinding ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS could enjoy the company of good friends and laughter. In the circle, the circle of life When my friend’s group went to pay the bill, the waiter Hamilton Community Foundation showed it paid in full by the couple. The couple, perhaps May we continue to grow and age together with CONTACT THE POINT filled with fear and trepidation at the aging process grace and hope and love in this amazing community. and all the challenges that can come with it, had been WRITE c/o 16 Grosvenor Ave S., Hamilton, ON L8M 3K9 buoyed by this experience. Perhaps they had been given Shelley Smith is the Minister at Delta United Church and EMAIL [email protected] EVENTS TIPS [email protected] hope and had shared their gratitude. she is a resident of the Crown Point community. ADS [email protected]

ACCESS THE POINT ONLINE ©Bethany Osborne thepointhamilton.wordpress.com

Top: Working on block printing WE WOULD LIKE TO MEET YOU! designs during Patterns from the Pipeline Trail, a workshop CROWN POINT COMMUNITY PLANNING TEAM led by Crown Point artist meets every third Monday Ingrid Mayrhofer (centre) at of every month from Indwell Strathearne Suites on 6:30–8:30 p.m. Please see Facebook page or website August 26th. First in a series for location. of workshops supported by the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Hamilton, and Indwell, the block printing workshop CROWNPOINTHUB.CA is part of the Art of Creating CROWN POINT HUB on the Pipeline Trail, a project which explores community art @CROWNPOINTHUB possibilities in partnership with Red Tree Collective. Right: The prints created at the workshop are intended to be installed on a garden planter that will be situated on the Pipeline Trail near Strathearne. THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 3

CLSA: ©Sean Hurley Bringing research home

by Sherly Kyorkis

hy do some people age in a healthy way while Wothers don’t? This question is the driving force behind the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). The first research study of its kind in Canada, the CLSA is collecting data from 51,000 participants aged 45 to 85 over a 20-year period to help pinpoint the physical, psychological, social, environmental, eco- nomic, and lifestyle factors that affect how people age. What we learn from the CLSA over the next 20 years will help to improve the aging experience for people in Canada and around the world. The hope is to change the way we live and our approach to growing older. I sat down with Jamie O’Donnell, in-home inter- viewer for the CLSA and long-term resident and member of the Crown Point community. I asked Jamie to share his insights as a CLSA employee who works BOO! was inspired by a boy in Crown Point. directly with participants residing in Hamilton.

Sherly: How long have you been a resident of Crown Point? What do you like about living in this BOO! community? Jamie O’Donnell lives in Crown Point and Jamie: I’ve lived here for about 16 years now. What conducts interviews for the Canadian A frightfully inspiring drew me and my family into the area initially was what Longitudinal Study on Aging at McMaster. was available for our kids – including parks, school, Crown Point story things like that. What kept us here is the rest of the playgrounds, the splash pad, those sorts of things, by Brendan Oliver things that are available, like Gage Park for example. plus the greenhouses. Then another one that’s intergenerational is the Hamilton Regional Indian S: What is your role at the CLSA, and how long o help get your child get into the spirit of Centre on Ottawa Street. Programming is not just have you been working as an interviewer for the for people of Indigenous background, they’re open THalloween pick up a copy of Boo! by Robert study? Munsch. Inspired by a Crown Point student, the and welcoming to anyone. It’s an intergenerational J: I do in-home interviews for the CLSA. I’ve been community centre within Crown Point. story tells of one kid’s quest to get all the candy in the doing those interviews now for about six years. neighbourhood. S: Do you think having the CLSA as a central hub In June of 1991 Robert Munsch, the author of Love S: What’s the difference between in-home and tele- in Hamilton will drive progress for the city as an You Forever and the Paper Bag Princess, received a phone interviews? age-friendly community? letter inviting him to visit the Grades 1 and 2 class at J: The interviews are largely the same now that we Lloyd George Elementary School on Beach Road, just J: I’m hopeful about that. Not just for Hamilton but do the in-home over the phone for participants who in general, that the CLSA and projects like it and the east of Ottawa Street. Munsch accepted the invitation are distant. The biggest difference is that the in-home and dropped by the very next day. research that’s done here at McMaster will help to interview makes it more convenient for participants, es- provide the basis and evidence-based decision making When Munsch began telling stories, a boy named pecially if they’re not able to get out to a data collection Lance asked if he could hear one about Halloween, his not just by politicians but community leaders and site. We hope to retain participants for as long as pos- community developers. favourite day of the year. Just for him Munsch came up sible and anything that makes it more convenient for with a story that partly resembles today’s version of Boo! them and is reducing roadblocks for them to continue S: What do you think we can do as Hamiltonians to It stayed in Munsch’s mind and he would revisit the their participation, we try to do that. We want them better the lives of older adults in our communities? story idea from time to time. According to Munsch, “it to be comfortable answering what are often difficult J: One of the things I think many people have always took a long time to get good.” questions and topics to discuss, and if they’re in their In the fall of 2004, nearly fourteen years after the done is watch out for your neighbours. There are own environment in their home, hopefully, that will be services, both municipal and provincial services, story was first told, Boo! was released by Scholastic more comfortable for them. Canada publishers. It tells of a young boy named Lance available for “seniors” but very often people don’t have local family or family at all. Ask your neighbours if who paints his face as scary as he can for Halloween. S: Is healthy aging important to you? He scares his Father, his neighbours, and even the local they’re okay, shovel their snow, cut their grass, and J: Oh, it’s absolutely important to me. We’re all (hope- bring them a meal. But more than that, we certainly teenager. When they faint in fear Lance makes off with fully) going to age. How well we age, though — the all their candy. need to encourage and retain services and areas where optimal aging that we experience, being able to do the people can mix, places where children, adults, older For the book’s illustrations Munsch returned to the things we want to do, physically, mentally, financially area around Lloyd George school and took photographs adults can be in the same place at the same time and able to — means that you have a fuller existence, a ful- there are things for them all to experience and enjoy. which he gave to his illustrator Michael Martchenko. ler life if you’re able to do those things. Boo! quickly became a bestseller and sales continue to increase every October. What do you do to promote #healthyaging in your S: What does it mean (to you) to be an age-friendly community? Join in on the conversation @clsa_elcv. When publishing a new book Munsch always tries to community? Why do you think it’s important for find the child who inspired the story and tries to debut To learn more about the CLSA research platform, visit Crown Point to be an age-friendly community? http://clsa-elcv.ca the book in their community. For Boo! this proved very J: There are definitely some services and amenities that difficult. are suitable for all Crown Point residents across the Sherly Kyorkis is a communications research assistant for By 2004, Lloyd George Elementary had closed and lifespan. I think there’s still a need for more. We all the CLSA. Working with the study has provided her with no one knew what had happened to Lance. In an at- need to think more about services, events, things that a new perspective on the intersections of aging and the tempt to locate him, Munsch made an appeal in the are across the lifespan not just for kids or for people importance of upholding intergenerational exchange. Hamilton Spectator and even hired a detective agency. who are older but for all of us. Both efforts were unsuccessful but eventually it came to light that Lance Mantock had moved to Jamaica. S: Are there some places and/or services in Crown Boo! debuted at W.H. Ballard Elementary School Point that are age friendly or intergenerational? on Dunsmure Road between Kenilworth and Parkdale. What are they? Munsch also gave audiences a preview of the story dur- J: We’re very fortunate to have a public library branch ing two performances at Hamilton Place. in Crown Point at the Kenilworth branch. It has Boo! can be found in the Hamilton Public Library programming put on by the library and makes its system and is also available for purchase from Scholastic space available for community groups and so forth Canada. to have those possibilities. Gage Park, because it’s a public park, is intergenerational and also has specific Brendan Oliver is a history enthusiast who enjoys activities within the park for different demographics. researching the past. He lives in Crown Point with his wife The children’s museum is at the park, a couple of and daughter. 4 THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

three main issues: succession, identity, Ageism: and consumption. Succession is the idea that older The perpetrators adults should move aside from high- paying jobs and prominent social roles © Sean Hurley will eventually to make way for younger people; identity dictates that older people should not become the targets attempt to act younger than they are; and consumption tells seniors to not by Bev Wagar consume so many scarce resources such as health care. eather Dubrow, a prof at Fordham According to Fiske, “Older people HUniversity, wrote a thoughtful and who ‘violate’ these ‘prescriptions’ are pointed letter about aging to the New punished by those who discriminate York Times in February 2015. against them; older people who adhere “Why is youthfulness cast as positive to them are rewarded with sympathy and maturity disparaged in well-in- and pity.” tentioned compliments about a boyish It was younger adults who were appearance and in the distaste for gray most likely to endorse these prescript- hair that keeps hairdressers in the style ive stereotypes. This is a notable and to which they are accustomed,” she disturbing fact, since ageism is the one asked. “Why do so many people who form of discrimination in which the would rightly oppose the egregious ef- perpetrators will eventually become the Ron and Phylis Dagg visit the Ottawa Street Farmer’s Market just fects of racism or prejudices about social targets. Not only were young people about every weekend from their home on the East mountain. class unabashedly indulge in ageism?” found to be more ageist than middle- The 2016 census shows us that, aged or older study participants, men for the first time ever, there are more were more likely than women to hold seniors than there are children—16.9% these prescriptive attitudes. How age friendly is Crown Point? of Canada’s population is more than So what can be done about ageism? 65 years old. By 2031, nearly one in Are these pervasive, ingrained and often by Shelagh Kiely paved surface makes this path ideal four Canadians will be seniors. As well, unconscious attitudes just part of the for multiple users, including people centenarians are the fastest-growing social landscape? An inevitable injustice amilton was the first city in with walkers and scooters. population. If seniors are the domin- we should simply accept? Ontario to join the Age-friendly • Gage Park: It is wonderful to have H ant demographic why is ageism still If “No!” is your answer, here’s what Cities Project. this Hamilton treasure so close to pervasive? you need to know. The following is Under the leadership of Dr. Margaret home! Along with tennis courts, Social science research tells us there gleaned from www.agediscrimination. Denton, Hamilton endorsed Hamilton’s beautiful gardens, and nighttime are three sides of ageism: prejudicial info, a site with reliable information in Age-friendly Plan in 2014, and we are lighting, Gage Park features an attitudes; discriminatory practices, plain language. currently in the process of implementing accessible outdoor walking path especially in employment but in other Age discrimination is against the over 100 community inspired recom- which attracts walkers of all ages and social roles as well; and “systemic” age- law. It is prohibited under the Canadian mendations to help Hamilton become a abilities. ism within institutions and policy that Charter of Rights and Freedoms—under city for all ages. • The HSR: The HSR is a safe, easy, perpetuates stereotypes and reduces Section 15(1). The Ontario Human The World Health Organization accessible and affordable way to get opportunities and undermines dig- Rights Code in section 5(1) prohibits developed the Global Age-friendly Cities around the City. Crown Point is nity. This third type is the toughest to age discrimination in employment. Project in 2006. Age-friendly commun- right in the centre of several primary confront, since it is often done without The Code applies equally to anybody ities establish policies, programs, services HSR bus routes, making it an ideal malice or even awareness. All three in an employment relationship: em- and infrastructure to enhance quality of place to hop on the bus! Did you have transformed aging from a natural ployees; temporary, casual and contract life as people age. I have been privileged know that Seniors (65+) can ride the process into a social problem burdening staff; volunteers and unpaid workers; to work with the Hamilton Council on HSR for as little as $265/year and seniors. probationary employees; medical and Aging for the past six years. Golden Age Riders (80+) ride for We are likely familiar with the first of personal attendants; union members; Because of my work, I find myself free! these sides, the negative attitudes. These and non-employees. constantly assessing and sometimes • The YWCA Churchill Active Living are descriptive stereotypes and they Any person alleging discrimination obsessing about my surroundings and the Centre (temporarily relocated from include not only the three Is: inept, ill, in Ontario can file an application with “age friendliness” of my environment. Ottawa St.): This is one of the five and incompetent, but also beliefs around the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. I tell my husband that our house is not major Seniors Centres that can be resistance to change, low creativity, cau- Applicants have one year from the date age-friendly and see him scratching his accessed with the City of Hamilton tiousness, reluctance to make judgments, of the last discriminatory incident to head. In my ambiguous way, I am sug- Seniors Centre Membership. Older lack of interest in technological change, submit an application. There are several gesting that it would be nice if we had adults (55+) can call 905-719-1578 or and difficulty to train or teach. remedies that may be applied, including a bathroom on our main floor to make visit 1715 Main St. E. to learn more Stereotypes can be prescriptive as financial compensation. access easier for my grandfather who uses about the wide range of recreational well. Princeton University psychology programming available and even try a cane and safer for my young niece who professor Susan Fiske has done some in- Bev Wagar is a Crown Point resident a free class! doesn’t appear to be very steady on our teresting research on “prescriptions” for who feels young and acts young but, old wooden stairs. seniors: prejudicial attitudes about how regrettably, is no longer young. As a relative newcomer to Crown Some of my other favourite spots seniors ought to behave. They identified Point, I have been slowly taking in my include the Ottawa Street Shopping surroundings, assessing the “age-friendli- District, Farmers’ Market and of course ness” of the area. Are our streets walkable the Kenilworth Branch of the Hamilton ©Sean Hurley and safe? Are essential amenities such as Public Library, which includes programs banks, pharmacies, and grocery stores for seniors! While I can think of things accessible by varying means? What are that could be improved upon (such as the social and recreational opportunities the walkability at Centre Mall), my available? Are there flexible and afford- opinion is that Crown Point is well on able housing choices? Am I aware of the its way to becoming an age-friendly programs and services that exist in my neighbourhood! own neighbourhood? To get involved or learn more about The more that I explore, the more I Age-friendly Hamilton, please visit am impressed by all that Crown Point www.agefriendlyhamilton.ca. This web- has to offer. Some of my personal favour- site also contains useful links and tools ites and age-friendly highlights include: that can help you to improve the “age friendliness” of your own environments. • The Pipeline Trail: As a pedestrian, I truly appreciate this walking path, Shelagh Kiely is the project coordinator which is always well-maintained and for Hamilton Council on Aging. For more cuts my walking time in half from information about programs and services NDP leader-elect Jagmeet Singh visited Crown Point in September. my house in east Crown Point to for seniors in Crown Point, please contact He attended a rally for supporters at Narula’s Banquet Hall on Barton my brothers on Ottawa Street. The Information Hamilton at 905-528-8127. Street East. He was elected leader on the first ballot October 1st. THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 5

POINT PEOPLE Darren Brooks by Jeff Hayward ©Jeff Hayward ore than five years ago, Darren Brooks started Mhaving symptoms of a debilitating disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome that affects the nerves. The disease quickly progressed and sidelined him to the point of requiring a wheelchair. However, through treatment and his own determina- tion, Darren made a remarkable recovery—he’s now a personal trainer at Momentum Fitness on Ottawa Street North. We asked him some questions about his experi- ence with the disease, and here’s how he responded.

Q: What were your early symptoms of Guillain- Barré Syndrome (GBS), and how old were you when it started? A: I was 19 when everything started to happen. The first symptom was tingling in the tips of my fingers and toes that progressed to numbness over the next few weeks. One morning, I got out of bed and my feet were almost completely numb aside from a pins and needles sensation, akin to a constant electric shock. I felt muscle weakness and by the end of the day, I was unable to do a squat. My 19-year-old mentality meant I ignored these symptoms and went to the movies with friends that night instead of the hospital. I brought a cane with me as walking was now a major challenge. I even Darren Brooks of Momentum Fitness fought his way back from a debilitating illness to experienced my first few falls walking from the car to an active life. the theatre. That weekend, my legs became completely paralyzed, my arms and torso had varying levels of numbness and my nerves were doing all sort of wacky was it. I also started going to physiotherapy and doing ago. There’s some nerve damage and numbness in my stuff. exercises in my wheelchair, and eventually graduated fingertips, but I can happily live with that. My back to the use of a cane. Although physio did have some took the worst of it and still hurts, burns and tingles Q: How did it affect you and change your lifestyle? benefits, the therapists had never treated someone with quite often with varying levels of severity. It could be a Were you an active person beforehand? GBS until me. In hindsight, I think they were kind of neurological issue from damage to the protective sheath A: When everything happened, I had been working winging it. The combination of physio and time resulted around the nerves or structural from having terrible a full-time labour job (shout out to Pan American in my ability to walk again but I was still dealing with posture when using a cane (admittedly, I discarded the Nursery), walking a hefty distance to the gym most a lot of pain and muscle imbalance throughout my wheelchair far too soon). The back pain sometimes trig- evenings, and playing all sorts of sports on the week- body. When I finished physio, I began stretching for gers memories of my worst times during my illness and ends. The onset of GBS really flipped my life upside two to three hours a day, and eventually decided to go can take me to a weird place mentally. I sometimes deal down. I went from being extremely active, outgoing to school for Health, Fitness and Wellness to learn new with social anxiety and depression as a result. However, and social to throwing up every morning, sleeping less, tools for health and body well-being. I really have made leaps and bounds in these areas and unable to work, and becoming a hermit because of this. will continue to do so! Physicality had been a giant part of my life, but over Q: When did you become a personal trainer, and the course of a few days, I found myself getting around what drove you to take this career path? Was this al- Q: What do you think the experience of dealing in a wheelchair and feeling overwhelmed by the un- ready part of your long-term plan before the illness? with a debilitating condition taught you about life, familiarity of my body and the alien sensations coursing A: I was actually preparing for a pre-service firefighter and what would you say to others facing something through it. My go-to way for dealing with stress was training program before everything happened, but similar? to hit the gym or go for a run. With GBS, my tools for sometimes life throws you a curveball! I became certi- A: There isn’t nearly enough room for me to write every- coping were taken from me, and my level of stress felt fied as a personal trainer in November 2016 and was thing that dealing with this condition taught me about like it increased exponentially. hired by Momentum Fitness (the best company in the life. What I would say to anyone dealing with some- world) about six months ago. As difficult as the journey thing similar is never give up as long as there is hope. Q: What was the prognosis? Did your doctors expect was, I can honestly say that I feel grateful for what I Communicate as much as possible with the people you you to make a recovery? have learned both during and after this experience. It love and if you don’t have loved ones, find a support A: The prognosis was that it would continue to progress has had a significant influence on my goals and ambi- group, even online if possible. One of the biggest mis- for six weeks before any improvement, and full recov- tions, how I connect with other people, and how I see takes I made was trying to deal with everything alone ery a year from then. This prognosis was actually very myself and what I’m capable of. I think that one of my (and with my awesome, former girlfriend Miranda) and inaccurate, and it begged the question of what it means responsibilities since this is to use what I have learned to that ended up taking much more of a mental toll than to fully recover. Recovery means something different help others who are struggling with their physical and it needed to. Set goals even if they are little, and know from one individual to the next, and plenty can happen mental well-being. that the mind is extremely powerful. You are more on the road to recovery. Some may achieve full physical capable than you may think! recovery, while others continue to deal with chronic and Q: Do you have any long-term effects from Guillain- permanent residual pain or paralysis afterwards. Barré syndrome, or have you completely recovered? Jeff Hayward is a Crown Point resident and ex-pat Importantly, recovery seems to be based on recov- How old are you now? Torontonian who is enjoying watching his new ery physically, but many people are left dealing with A: I’ll be 25 this September (2017) and inching towards neighbourhood grow. the mental repercussions of their illness that are often what I would consider a full recovery. That being said, neglected in discussions of disease management. I I’m thrilled with where I am even compared to a year considered myself greedy as far as regaining mobility, eliminating physical pain and correcting my signifi- cantly altered mental state. It became an obsession to get back to who I used to be.

Q: How did you start to improve? What was the medical treatment, or what did you do on your own to help yourself? A: The treatment therapy involved getting hooked up to an I.V. that injected immunoglobulin proteins, which would help my immune system. I went to and from the hospital for five days to receive this treatment, and that 6 THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 © Sean Hurley ©Sean Hurley ©Sean

Crown Point Community Planning Team Co-Chair Nancy Reyes welcomed Supercrawl to City School’s mobile classroom. Beep beep! The City School Mobile Classroom is heading to Crown Point! ast summer Mohawk College an- introductory level welding course that Lnounced the expansion of the City lets students earn a credit toward select School initiative with the development welding programs at Mohawk College. of the Mobile Classroom, a 1,000 square The course is free and we provide all foot learning space that can deliver personal protective equipment so there is skilled trades training in neighbour- no cost to students. hoods with limited access to Mohawk City School’s goal is to improve access College. This fall, the Mobile Classroom to college and employment opportun- will be hitting the streets! We are excited ities for adults aged 19 and up who are Erin Shacklette returned to Mohawk as a mature student and to a to announce that our first stop will be at not currently in postsecondary educa- different experience. the Centre on Barton, out front of the tion. High school completion is not a vacant Target building. requirement to participate. The Mobile Classroom is a transport older than me. Both were back for truck with walls that expand to accom- To find out more, visit our website at retraining, just as I was. Many of my On being a modate 12 welding stations and up to 20 www.mohawkcollege.ca/cityschool, call classmates were university graduates, students for other skilled trades train- 905-575-2489 or find us on social media coming to college for the practical ex- ing such as plumbing, electrical, and @mocityschool. mature student perience. Many were married. Some had carpentry. This fall we’ll be bringing an by Erin Shacklette kids. Some were back for career changes, or because they’d lost their jobs. Some hen I first attended Mohawk were simply upgrading their skills. The WCollege in 1999, I was scared and greatest part was that I could connect insecure. All I recall was being sur- with just about everyone in my class. rounded by thousands of other 18- and I understood the recent high-school 19-year-olds. I didn’t join any clubs at graduate’s frustrations and insecurities first. I did join the soccer team in second because I had been-there-done-that, and year but didn’t make any lasting friend- I was able to encourage them. It was ships. Although I did make a few friends great to have people my own age who in class, I spent most of those two years had been in the workforce and could simply adjusting to life on my own. The understand the ups and downs of earning school itself wasn’t that accessible for a living and paying more expenses than people with learning or physical disabil- just cellphone bills. Being closer in age ities. The cultural diversity was minimal to my professors, I was more comfort- but growing. I didn’t feel like I had truly able sitting down with them to discuss experienced college life. assignments and life in general. I took Fast forward to 2015. At age 35 I was advantage of the school’s support servi- back at Mohawk College, and this time ces to help me through the two years, was different. Not only had the campus because exams are stressful at any age, changed but the diversity of the students right? was amazing. The school now supports These last two years gave me the students of all learning abilities and is college experience I feel I missed out more physically accessible than it used on when I was fresh from high school. to be. There was something else that was It taught me that no matter what your different: me. age, it is important to move out of your Being a mature student felt odd, comfort zone and try new things. If you but in a good way. I had life and work are in your thirties, forties, or fifties and experience. I wasn’t as shy as I used to beyond, and are faced with going back be. Heck, I would joke with some of the to school, I highly recommend getting kids who had just graduated high school involved around campus. Use your age to though I was old enough to be their your advantage in class. The younger stu- mom (well, almost). I wanted to make dents may look up to you for guidance. the most of this experience. Sure, you may find yourself rolling your While I didn’t join any athletic teams eyes at some of their antics but you also this time around, I did participate in get to refer to music, television shows, campus life. I used the gym, joined an and clothing from before they were born environmental club, helped at orienta- and watch their reactions. tion, worked for a semester as a peer tutor, and spoke up in class. I interacted Erin Shacklette is a planning CAD designer with my peers. We went to the Arnie for and a recent graduate of the Urban and drinks. I ran study groups. I went out Regional Planning program at Mohawk with friends outside of class. College. She loves gardening, biking and I wasn’t the oldest in my class, though. Wagley the dog. There were two gentlemen a few years THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 7

MUSIC AND ART © Jeff Hayward © Shiona Mackenzie Shiona ©

SoBi bike share introduced 12 new hubs, many in Crown Point, and 75 more bikes.

with additional funds from the Losani Everyone rides Family Foundation Fund through the Hamilton Community Foundation, and with bike share the City of Hamilton. Thea Jones, the program manager for expansion the Everyone Rides Initiative, explained the effort started as a pilot project in by Jeff Hayward 2015 with funding from Union Gas that allowed the organization to pro-

vide group memberships to those in etting around the city just became a need of affordable transportation. “We little easier, thanks to the introduc- G create partnerships with organizations tion of 12 new SoBi Hamilton bike hubs throughout Hamilton, and this is a really announced during an Everyone Rides valuable part of our program because we Initiative (ERI) event in July. can access a lot of vulnerable residents,” In addition to the new hub out- she said. side 541 Barton Eatery & Exchange, Part of the new initiative is the addi- Artist Paul Elia at home in Crown Point where the announcement was made, tion of 75 shiny new white SoBi 8-speed many of the new bike share hubs are bikes, which the group says will be more within Crown Point. These locations visible than the previous 750 standard include Barton Street East at Ottawa blue models. Street North; Ottawa Street North at Exploring history and art in At the same gathering, a mural was Dunsmure Road; Belview Avenue at unveiled at the flagship hub at 541 Barton Street East; Cannon Street East east #HamOnt Eatery, created by well-known Hamilton at Belview Avenue; King Street East at mural artists Lester and Norman by Shiona Mackenzie Elia and his husband, Paul Sousa, Dunsmure Road; Gage Avenue North Coloma in collaboration with L’Arche, moved to Crown Point recently, having at Cannon Street East; Maple Avenue an organization that allows people with aul Elia didn’t set out to re-imagine outgrown their Victorian studio/gallery/ at Rothsay Avenue; and Ottawa Street intellectual challenges to live independ- southern Ontario in 2007. Yet residence downtown. They were excited North at Dunsmure Road. P ently with the help of community through his lens some of the most to find an old building on Cannon Other new locations include caregivers. Over the course of five weeks, cynical critics have been awakened to Street East that they could renovate Dunsmure Road at Sherman Avenue the residents of L’Arche created their the beauty lurking within and around into a large gallery on the main floor South; Mars Avenue at Wentworth Street vision for the sidewalk mural through post-industrial rustbelt cityscapes. with living space upstairs. It is being North; and Sherman Avenue North at drawings. The Coloma brothers then Inspired by the juxtapositions of designed by the Canadian architectural Barton Street East. brought the ideas to life by scaling them homes and factories, his initial Hamilton firm Toms + McNally Design which is The goal of the initiative is to pro- onto the sidewalk that runs alongside the Strip series of limited edition, black- known for its work on Democracy Café vide additional access to the bike share restaurant. and-white archival giclée prints was a and several local houses. in key lower-income neighbourhoods, The public event ended with Jones smash hit. Since then, Elia’s panoramic “We chose Toms + McNally because along with providing translation servi- leading a group taking the new bikes for street views have graced the walls of The a number of my friends recommended ces, riding workshops and subsidized a spin to visit the other hubs. Bread Bar, Hamilton Artists Inc., Mixed them highly. I was aware of their other access that are especially beneficial to Media, The Art Gallery of Hamilton, projects and thought it would be a newcomers. The growth of the Everyone Jeff Hayward is a Crown Point resident the Hamilton Museum of Steam and good fit for what we envisioned for the Rides Initiative was boosted by fund- and ex-pat Torontonian who is enjoying Technology, and Toronto’s Propeller building — mixing the raw industrial ing through the Federation of Canadian watching his new neighbourhood grow. Gallery, among others. elements with a modern finish. Our new Municipalities (Green Municipal Fund), The process of creating these prints, neighbours have been really supportive now also in colour, reflects his Drawing of the project.” and Painting and Integrated Media Elia hopes much of the renovation studies at the Ontario College of Art work will be done this autumn so the and Design. building will be ready for open house “Most pieces take about two months events he plans for November 25 and to complete,” Elia says. “I start with December 2. the photography and stitch about 100 Perhaps he will memorialize this photos together to create the long pan- building, too, as he has Ottawa Street, oramic images. This is the easier part; which is also in transition. Elia believes the illustration work that follows takes a that art is important in a way that goes couple months to complete. Originally, beyond a subjective notion of beauty: I would choose a streetscape by walking “Looking back through history it is the around the city and taking in whatever art that outlasts and tells us the most inspired me, but now the streetscapes I about culture and society.” create are commissioned requests. This is great, because it allows me to discover Shiona Mackenzie is a communications neighbourhoods I might not have been professional with 17 years of international aware of before. I’ve found more to ex- experience and a lifelong love of the arts. plore in the east end of Hamilton!” 8 THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE

©Sean Hurley ©Sean Hurley Key Paul Straughan on Park Row South has as many as 25 images of the Royal Family. Homes on Park Row South boasted fashion, He will soon be at the Hamilton Antique furniture, rugs, housewares, and collectibles Mall on Ottawa Street. of various types.

©Sean Hurley ©Sean Hurley

Isla, possibly the youngest host, served up lemonade to thirst bargain hunters.

Norm and Carol welcome visitors to London Street South. ©Sean Hurley ©Sean

©Sean Hurley

Shannon stands with her last three bricks (two immediately after this photo).

Dad and kids present their wares on Roxborough. ©Sean Hurley ©Sean Hurley ©Sean Hurley ©Sean

Diane on Maple hosted a very busy garage Lynn sells a fishing captain collectible to an Jewelery and collectibles brought out the sale with people both front and back. eager buyer. garage salers to Park Row North. THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 9

SIDEWALK SALE AND PIPELINE TRAIL PARADE

The Lost Organization opened its doors and Matt and Gene of Mancala Monk Board Games Rebecca Taube greeted guests and explained Cafe on Cannon instruct children on the rules the mission of this newest member of the of a game. Ottawa Street North community.

©Sean Hurley ©Sean Hurley ©Sean Hurley Adam is opening Boon Burger Cafe on Ottawa Street North among the fabric shops, in November. The festival burger was delicious.

Maggie Burns with the Ottawa Street BIA, Cynthia Lokker, publisher of The Point and ©Diane Girard One week after pulling off a successful co-treasurer of the Crown Point Community community garage sale, Laura Vandette, Planning Team, and Bethany Osborne with HRIC youth performed traditional dance to Crown Point Planning Team co-secretary, took the Pipeline Trail Parade greet passersby and drumming and song. time out to enjoy the sidewalk sale. promote the community.

Neighbourhood kids are instructed on the basics of breakdancing by Sound Effect Crew who stole the show with a breakdance routine that provided a lighthearted and entertaining presentation of skill.

©Diane Girard ©Diane Girard ©Sean Hurley ©Sean

©Diane Girard

DJ Jooce provided the musical entertainment and accompaniment at The parade started out at HRIC on Ottawa Street and followed the the Kenilworth parkette. Pipeline Trail to the new parkette on Kenilworth next to the Tim Hortons. 10 THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Preparing for retirement: and employer plan designed to help you. Educate What is cohousing? yourself, and be open minded about new or untried It’s never too late investment opportunities. by Jocelyn Weatherbe You have three primary tools—knowledge, money, by Richard Westberg and time. You can’t afford to waste any of them. Be ike many others, I am thinking about where I want prepared to act quickly to implement plans that make Lto live in the “retired” stage of my life. I currently You’re ‘on the back nine’ of your career and your sense. Even if it isn’t perfect, you can make adjust- own a house with a rental unit that helps pay the mort- current retirement plan isn’t in the best shape. Maybe ments. Make sure what time you have left is your ally gage. But I’m tired of living alone and I’m tired of being you’ve experienced some setbacks. A job loss, a divorce, rather than your enemy. a landlord and solely responsible for a big house and bad investments, poor spending habits, or just plain old The future is unpredictable. Yes, there’s still plenty everything else. procrastination. Welcome to real life. Giving up or ig- of things that can go wrong and maybe a few that will Where do I want to be? Living in a co-housing situa- noring the problem is only going to make things worse. go right. Don’t let the issue of retirement consume you. tion, an increasingly popular idea, seems to be the ideal There is hope! You can still make meaningful changes Use proven investment fundamentals to lessen your solution. Being among friends, some old and some new, to improve your retirement picture. How? risk. Take advantage of insurance to help protect you means eating better and laughing more. One friend Connect with a knowledgeable and trusted financial and your family from an accident, an illness, or a death said, “You just want to get back to the hippie commune advisor. They will help you do three things. derailing your plans. If you experience a windfall like days.” I had to laugh—she may be right! Accurately summarize your current financial situa- an increased income, an inheritance, or a lottery win, In a nutshell, cohousing is a way of living focused tion, taking into account all government benefits, use it to accelerate your efforts. on a genuine sense of community using shared spaces employer plans, and personal resources. It’s better to and facilities to create a more affordable and fulfilling be irritated now, than wait until it’s too late, and be No one else will ever care more about your finan- lifestyle. There are benefits to one’s emotional, psycho- overwhelmed. cial security than you. That includes your retirement. logical, and physical health. Cohousing residents are Educate you on financial concepts, tools, and op- No matter how good or bad your current situation is, able to socialize and exist as a community while main- tions that can improve your situation. resolve to own it. Fortune favours the brave. You can taining their privacy. Project the pros and cons of various strategies to see make things better! There are many models, ranging from a private room which one’s work best for you. in a bigger household to entirely private apartments in a A happy retirement doesn’t always mean Freedom Richard Westberg, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C. – FirstOntario Insurance building with a large communal space which might in- 55 with wine tours in Tuscany. It seems like a lot of fun clude a kitchen, a hanging-around room, and (definitely in the commercials, but for most people, achieving a in my case) a garden. But mainly it is a way to creatively financially secure lifestyle, good health, engaging inter- age while maintaining one’s own personal vitality and ests, and meaningful relationships doesn’t always take independence. Love where you live! millions. There is no concrete finish line. If you’ve got We are getting the conversation started in Hamilton. the resources to achieve your objective in your fifties, ADVERTISE IN We had our first introductory meeting in September hats off to you. If it takes until you reach your seventies, and expect to have another one soon. Please join us on even choosing to work part time, well that’s not so bad. Facebook (“CoHoHo-CoHousing Hamilton Ontario”) Decide what your minimum, expected, and ideal retire or Yahoo Meetup (“Hamilton Cohousing Meetup”) to If you’ve got debt, start reducing it, or at least the get notified of the next meeting. cost of carrying it. If you have no control over spend- ing, set some limits. Examine ways to reduce the fees Please contact us for information Jocelyn Weatherby grew up in St. Catharines, has lived in and taxes you’re paying. Every dollar you save is a risk six cities and several small towns across the country, and is free dollar earned. If you’re saving nothing, start small, email [email protected] now settled in Hamilton. She is looking forward to the next but make it automatic. It’s too easy to ‘wait until next chapter in her life—living well with friends and free to do month’. Understand and maximize every government some travelling. Retirement: A double-edged sword by Sean Hurley Senior immigrants are still immigrants. LBGTQ seniors are still LBGTQ people. etirement for many is a double- In other words, the legacy and the daily Redged sword. On one hand, there existence of discrimination faced in is the allure of finally being free of work employment, housing, and day-to-day and able to focus on hobbies and family. interactions with government, agencies, On the other hand, for many retirement retailers and on the street is carried into represents a deeper poverty or entry old age into the world of precarious work and Crown Point resident Gail McGinnis housing. considers herself lucky. She is 68-years- According to Statistics Canada, more old and is well known in the community than two-thirds of Canadians invest for her activism promoting spay and in retirement savings leaving a sub- neuter clinics for stray cats, She was on stantial number who do not. As well, a the Ontario Disability Support Program Globe and Mail report from February (ODSP) from about the age of 55 to 65 2016 reports that “less than 20 per due to severe arthritis that limits her mo- cent of middle-income families have bility. With the help of her son she owns saved enough to adequately supplement her home which is, her investment, and a government benefits and the Canada/ source against which she draws for a line Quebec Pension Plan”. In 2014, the CBC of credit. Gail McGinnis did everything right to get a job with few benefits. reported “24 per cent of those polled In 2011, the Social Planning Research planned to use their homes as their main Council (SPRC) of Hamilton reported retirement income”. that while seniors as a group were diploma for interior design and found have surpassed the number of children A significant share of the middle-class slightly below the average rate of poverty employment. “It didn’t pay very well even under the age of 14. Many of those population is with insufficient retirement in Hamilton, the relative affluence of though it took me a very long time to seniors have insufficient savings for retire- savings and a fair number are depending seniors is not shared equally. According earn those credentials.” ment and face systemic social barriers. largely upon their homes to last them to the SPRC, in 2011, only four per Working provided her with very little McGinnis supports a mandatory through an old age with a longer life ex- cent of women saw an annual income savings and no retirement plan. “Women retirement because “there are too many pectancy. That is worrisome enough, but of $60,000 compared to ten per cent of usually don’t get benefits which is a real young people who can’t get jobs.” She what about those on the margins? men. In fact, women, aboriginals, visible problem because women have the kids.” also supports developing a co-operative As a society, we tend to view seniors minorities, and immigrants were all more The Canadian Labour Congress in housing model of “Small communities of as a sort of fuzzy homogeneous group. likely to face greater levels of poverty. a statement from 2015 said 30 per cent mixed people. You need people around However, all of the baggage we impose For women, much of this likely goes to of senior women live below the poverty who can help you out like care giving, on each other throughout life is not gender roles and employment. line. But McGinnis said she is “getting groceries, or shovelling snow.” magically alleviated when we reach the Gail McGinnis moved to Ontario by fine” adding, “As you get older you get golden age of 65. Senior women are still in the mid-80s with her husband who, tired and your health catches up to you Sean Hurley is co-secretary with the Crown women and senior persons of colour shortly thereafter, left her alone with a and there is less (support) available.” Point Community Planning Team and is are still persons of colour. Senior dis- son. “I went back to school and did all According to the SPRC, in September editor of The Point. abled persons are still disabled persons. the right things,” she said. She earned a 2016, the number of seniors in Hamilton THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 11

There is no single policy, program, government, or Addressing organization that can solve this problem on its own. We POINTS FROM THE PAST need to collaborate to promote understanding, increase identification, and improve supports. seniors’ isolation In Hamilton there are estimated to be more than © Photo courtesy Hamilton Public Library 11,000 seniors living in isolation. Local organizations as a community are now collaborating to reach these seniors through the Hamilton Seniors Isolation Impact Plan (HSIIP). by Taralyn Prindiville A three-year initiative funded in part by the NHSP, the HSIIP comprises seven collaborating agencies, each or many people, growing old can be an isolating with a project that contributes to the shared goal of Fprocess. In late life we tend to lose loved ones and reducing isolation among Hamilton seniors. connections, making it difficult to re-establish contact In its first year (May 2016 to April 2017) the HSIIP with the community. Becoming isolated has a large Collaborative: impact on seniors’ quality of life, contributing to many • Anchored 301 isolated seniors into programs, harmful health and social outcomes. Its mental and services and activities in the community. It will emotional toll is associated with increased risks for hos- connect even more in years two and three. pitalization, physical ailments, and even death. • Developed a ‘CareDove Referral System’ for Isolation occurs when someone has few social rela- Hamilton—an online portal that provides infor- tionships or meaningful roles, and little social contact. mation about seniors’ services and enables people Loneliness, on the other hand, is a negative feeling that to book appointments directly with local providers Ogg’s Inlet named after William Ogg, a occurs when someone perceives they have less social (link provided below). tenant who once resided on the land. contact or support than they’d like. While feelings of • Conducted research to better understand seniors’ loneliness often accompany isolation, they don’t neces- isolation in Hamilton, which will inform future sarily have to. policies and practices. Isolation can happen to anyone, but some groups are • Administered a Social Participation Fund to help The natural inlets more likely to experience it. Risk factors include: low-income seniors access services and activities by Brendan Oliver • Older age (75+) that reduce isolation. This is made possible by a generous donation of $50,000 from the Retired • Complex physical needs or disability id you know that Crown Point was once home Teachers of Ontario Foundation. • Identifying as LGBTQ Dto four natural inlets? One inlet traveled as far • Lacking transportation inland as the railway tracks behind Center Mall. The HSIIP Collaborative also convenes a group of • Living alone Home to pioneer families and native flora and fauna, key stakeholders to improve understanding and co- • Living in a neighborhood that is not ‘age-friendly’ the inlets were lost to development long ago. ordinate supports at a systems level. As well, it partners • Living in a nursing home When the earliest settlers arrived in our area they with various other projects in the community. • Low income found a vast sheltered bay punctuated by inlets on Citizens have a role to play. Keep an eye out for • Mental health issues the south shore. Inlets are defined as narrow areas of seniors who may be isolated and take steps to intervene. • Widowhood water that stretch inland from the shoreline. When you identify an isolated senior, refer them to the Around the inlets grew wild rice, sword grass and Seniors Community Connection Program (an initia- It is important to understand that when seniors are millet. Deer, bear, rattlesnakes and wolves could be tive of the HSIIP Collaborative) to get help from a isolated their needs often go beyond a lack of social sup- found and huge elm and willow trees stood along the Connector, a specially trained staff person who will visit port. Isolation tends to contribute to a situation where banks. to assess the senior’s needs and follow-up over time to other needs are not met, such as a lack of food, income, Each inlet was named after the pioneer families get them anchored into programs, services, and activ- health care, or supports for daily living. This is why who settled the land around them. Families with ities. To refer an isolated senior contact 905-528-5629, linking to social activities is often only part of the solu- familiar names like Depew, Lottridge and Gage es- ext. 284. tion; many seniors first need to be connected to services tablished farms, planted crops and buried their dead. If you are able, consider volunteering for the YWCA that address their basic needs. Crown Point’s westernmost inlet was Lottridge Hamilton’s Seniors Peer Connector Program. This is As Canada’s age demographics change, awareness Inlet, named after farmer John Lottridge. It was a friendly-visiting program that matches volunteers to increases. Governments and communities are beginning located at the foot of Gage Avenue just north of seniors based on common interests. For more informa- to take steps to address the issue of isolation. It’s a diffi- Burlington Street. tion contact 905-522-9922 ext. 316. cult challenge, requiring teamwork across many sectors. Stipe’s Inlet was located at the north end of This is why the federal government’s New Horizons for Depew Street and named after Simon Peter Stipe. For more information about the Hamilton Seniors Seniors Program (NHSP) is supporting the development The surrounding land was owned by his father in-law Isolation Impact Plan visit www.socialisolation.ca or of collaborative partnerships to reduce isolation among Captain Charles Depew Jr. contact Taralyn Prindiville at [email protected]. seniors in Hamilton and across the country. At the foot of Kenilworth Avenue North was Ogg’s Inlet named after William Ogg, a tenant who once resided on the land. There are many other ways that you can improve the life of an isolated senior: The most popular inlet was Gage’s, presum- ably named after John Gage. Located at the foot of Ottawa Street, it was a favorite skating spot in winter Reach out for a visit; take them out for coffee or a meal. • and prized fishing hole in summer. • Reach out when they experience the death of a spouse or loved one. In a 1930’s Spectator article, a man reminisced, • Be aware of services and act as a bridge between the senior and service providers. For “The boys spent many busy days around Gage’s information about seniors’ services in Hamilton, visit www.caredove.com/hamiltoncss. Inlet. Generally we were after fish but we could also get frogs, watercress, walnuts and hickory nuts. It Encourage them to access health care, such as vision and hearing tests. • was a boy’s paradise, for we could get a market close • Promote a sense of purpose by helping them to identify new hobbies or interests. at hand for some of these things and make a bit of • If possible, help them to access transportation. pocket money. Schumacher’s German boarding house stood at the north-east corner of Sherman Avenue • Speak with neighbours and ask them to keep an eye out for any type of emergency. and Burlington Street. They used all the frogs legs we boys could bring in, also sizeable fish and watercress.” In addition to these possibilities, it also helps to be a public champion of the issue. As the city spread eastward the land surrounding Help spread awareness by sharing information and resources. the inlets was developed into Hamilton’s industrial sector. The inlets remained in place for a time but the dumping of human and industrial waste soon made them unfit for use. Today 25 per cent of Hamilton’s original harbour has been filled including most of Crown Point’s inlets. Stipe’s Inlet still exists between Stelco and Dofasco, but not in its original form. For more information on Crown Point’s Inlets please visit fb.com/CrownPointHistory

Brendan Oliver is a history enthusiast who enjoys researching the past. He lives in Crown Point with his wife and daughter. 12 THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

WORKING MATTERS WITH HDLC

A prescription for insurance coverage for our members healthcare system should include a care advocates to launch our campaign but also for better public coverage for universal prescription drug plan. Several for universal prescription drug coverage all Canadians everyone. national health care commissions have under the banner “Pharmacare: A Plan Today, about 8.4 million working recommended the same, along with for Everyone.” We hope you’ll join us at by Anthony Marco Canadians don’t have prescription drug the Canadian Medical Association, www.aplanforeveryone.ca. coverage. Younger workers and women Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, eing Canadian means that if you are most affected because they’re more Canadian Doctors for Medicare, the Anthony Marco is President of the Bget sick, you can get treated, regard- likely to hold part-time, low-wage, or Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Hamilton and District Labour Council. less of where you live or how much you precarious jobs. But even Canadians who and many more. Find out more at www.hamiltonlabour.ca, make. Or at least it should be that way. have coverage through work are paying The unions of the Hamilton and facebook.com/hamiltonlabour, The problem is that we have a massive more and more out-of-pocket, because of District Labour Council are making this or @hamiltonlabour on Twitter. gap in our public healthcare system when ever-increasing co-payments and deduct- crucial issue our priority too. Workers it comes to prescription drug coverage— ibles. A universal prescription drug plan and their unions have united with health a gap that’s left 3.5 million Canadians would mean levelling the playing field for unable to afford the medications they all workers. need. Even if you’re not directly affected, It’s time for Canada to catch up with you probably know someone who is. countries like New Zealand, where a Nobody should be forced to choose public authority negotiates drug prices between paying for groceries and pay- on behalf of the entire country. There, a ing for their prescriptions. But here in year’s supply of the anti-cholesterol drug Ontario, one in four people are forced Lipitor costs just $15 a year. In Canada to split their pills or skip days because it’s $811. Canada is the only developed their prescriptions are just too expensive. country with a public health care plan Unfortunately, the situation is very simi- that doesn’t include prescription drug lar all across Canada. coverage. That’s why Canada’s unions are An annual investment of $1 billion emphasizing a renewed push for a uni- by the federal government will mean versal prescription drug plan that covers Canadians save $7.3 billion a year on the all Canadians. It’s part of our legacy. medications they need. By combining the Unions were there in 1962 to support purchasing power of all Canadians under the establishment of public health care one plan, we can save money and keep all under Tommy Douglas in Saskatchewan. Canadians healthy. We were there in 1966 when Medicare This is not a controversial idea: a went national. And ever since then we’ve 2015 Angus Reid poll found 91 per- been pushing—not only for better health cent of Canadians believe our public THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 13

WARD 4 NEWS by Sam Merulla

ore than 129,000 people aged 60 and older reside Min the City of Hamilton. With our senior popu- lation expected to double over the next two decades, the City has been working hard to ensure seniors remain an important, active part of our community. Several efforts have been implemented to ensure this, includ- ing Hamilton’s Plan for an Age-Friendly City and the Hamilton Seniors Isolation Impact Plan. Formed in 2013, Hamilton’s Plan for an Age- Friendly City is a partnership between the City of Hamilton, the Hamilton Council on Aging (HCoA), and the Seniors Advisory Committee of Council (SAC). The plan helps to identify and address the needs and Delta graduate Austin Millben and School Age priorities of the city’s senior population, with the fol- Delta graduate Herbert Stewart lowing seven goals: manager Milja Minic.

• Housing: to ensure a full range of affordable hous- by The Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton All four high school recipients have grown up in ing options is available for seniors our hallways, participating in Leadership In Training • Getting Around Greater Hamilton: to have he Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton have a programs and are now members of our after school transportation systems, urban design and physical Ttradition of contributing awards to the graduation program team. We are excited to see them continue infrastructure to enable people to continue partici- ceremonies of our partner schools and the 2016/2017 on to post-secondary school and are confident that the pating in the community as they age school year was full of new experiences and engaging future is bright. • Communications and Information: to ensure older programs. The common thread among all of the participants adults have access to readily available information As an organization it is crucial to form strong is that they have all faced barriers. As much as we can and resources relationships with teachers and administrators as we’re point them in the right direction, it was up to them to take control over what will ultimately define them. • Health and Community Services: to help ease the are both working together for the success of our youth. process of aging, ensure there is effective urban Our clubs offer extra assistance with homework, de- Award Winners: design, appropriate housing and the support of velop workplace skills and introduce our participants to family and community a variety of career choices. Our team takes a great deal of pride in the role we Hillcrest Elementary School: • Social Participation: to welcome diverse social play in guiding our participants. We’re truly privileged Mergim Pllana & Skylar Hussick engagement opportunities that are reflective of the to witness the remarkable accomplishments of so many interests of older adults in the community and are young men and women. The programs that we allow Queen Mary Elementary School: available in a variety of formats our participants to see growth in themselves that can Alex Torrie & Melissa Green • Civic Engagement, Volunteerism and sometimes be overlooked in a classroom setting. Employment: to involve older people as leaders, The spaces in which we work are neighbourhood Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School: influencers, employers, and volunteers to instill a hubs. They are places where adults and children can Emilee Champiigny & Myliek McKenzie vibrant civic life come to feel a part of their community. It is fitting that • Age-Friendly Public Service: to have City of our award recognizes individuals who become integral Delta Secondary School: Austin Millben & Herbert Hamilton department leaders champion age- to their communities. Stewart friendly strategies in their scope of authority and Rarely a day would go by without seeing our elemen- in partnership with the community tary school recipients participating in a program and For more information about the programs that we offer, helping around our clubs. They are already volunteer- visit us at kboysandgirlsclub.com or in person at 45 The City’s five senior recreation centres and seven ing their time and are eager to be role models for those Ellis Avenue, Hamilton. seniors clubs are dedicated to providing countless younger than them. classes, social activities, and volunteer opportunities for our senior population. Dedicated efforts to engage more THE CAFÉ seniors at the recreation centres have already paid off: since 2013, program participation has increased by over 25%. Knock-on-the-crust trout Put into the oven and bake for 20 minutes. There are more than 12,000 isolated seniors residing Take it out and using a thin knife, firmly stick it in the Greater Hamilton region. The Hamilton Seniors by Magda Wierzbicka inside the fish through the crust. If the knife is hot, the Isolation Impact Plan (HSIIP) is a collaboration among fish is ready. Put it aside for ten minutes. Break the crust with the knife unveiling the whole fish. seven partners: HCoA, Thrive Group, Wesley Urban It’s great served with a light salad, steamed veggies, Ministries, Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging, St. Salt baked trout and potatoes. Adding aioli, light dill sauce or even Joseph’s Home Care, YWCA Hamilton and AbleLiving Ingredients pesto could definitely bring this dish to another level. Services. In addition to completing research to bet- 1 whole trout, around 500-700 g ter understand Hamilton’s social isolation, the plan 1 kg of coarse salt Magdalena Wierzbicka is a Crown Point resident, co- involves Community, Peer and Hospital Connectors 2 whole eggs (though it’s possible to use just whites) founder of the Hamilton Dialogues, and is a constant programs that help isolated seniors. Besides measurably 1 lemon creator (just give‘er a tool!) in all areas of life. reducing isolation among seniors, the plan also aims to 2 tbsp water identify, reach, and connect isolated seniors, thereby 1 tbsp lemon zest preventing isolation in the future. Herbs and spices of your choice to put inside the The City of Hamilton remains dedicated to ensur- fish—I had green onion and thyme, and 1/4 tsp of ing the fastest growing segment of our population white pepper continues to play a vital part in our community. With positive results already stemming from the partnerships, Instructions plans, and goals currently in place, the City is confident Preheat the oven to 400 to 450 F. about a positive future for our aging community. In a big bowl mix together salt, water, eggs and lemon zest. Sam Merulla is Hamilton’s Ward 4 Councillor; reach him at Put parchment paper on a baking pan. [email protected] Spread 1/3 of the salt mixture on the pan in the shape of the fish and slightly bigger in size. Place the trout on the salt and put the herbs and spices inside it. Spread the rest of the salt mixture on the top of the Salt baked trout is a great way to serve fish covering it completely; fresh fish. 14 THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

a garden. To me a beautiful garden is one that is an active garden, a sustainable garden, with none of the usual suspects such as euonymus, cedar, or hosta.” Kelly’s garden on Grosvenor South was a native plant paradise that included several unusual species, all well grown and well sited. Kelly, who works for the Toronto Conservation Authority, sees native plants with a botanist’s eye: “When I look at a garden I see beauty in the way that the natural world and our cultural world come together. I love to see gardens that accentuate our native biodiversity as I am constantly in awe of the rich colours, textures, and arrange- ments that can be found in our local Participants in the community garage sale contributed to a potluck BBQ. natural environment.” Organizers invited neighbourhood residents to join in and partake. Other finalists were Nadia Coakley (West Hamilton), Matthew Mills Mayor Eisenberger presents the (Dundas) and Katie West (Dundas). The Garage sale People sold off some things no longer Monarch Award to Amy Taylor. five winners will each receive a beauti- useful to them while at the same time ful hand-crafted wooden plaque by and fundraiser connecting with others. There were Crown Point woodworker Tricia Fraser. also a number of impromptu garage All entrants received a “We’re Feeding by Mark Rzadkowski sales that popped up to capitalize on Edgemont Street Pollinators” sign, a Monarch Awards the additional traffic generated by the sticker, and and recognition by city A big shout goes out to the Crown Community Garage Sale. resident takes council at it’s October 25 meeting. Point Community and everyone who The BBQ following the event was a The organizing committee for the attended the 2nd Annual Crown Point great success with people connecting, award includes staff from the Pollinator Community Garage Sale & Fundraiser. eating some great food, and sharing Monarch Award Paradise Project (Environment Hamilton Not only was this a way of getting rid potluck dishes. Those who came out by Bev Wagar and Hamilton Naturalists’ Club) along of some stuff collecting dust, but also a were able to listen to Laura Keating in with volunteers from the Royal Botanical great way to connect with neighbours the background while enjoying their Gardens, the Crown Point Garden Club, n Tuesday September 19, 2017 at and community. One goodie stand, meals. There were also some individuals as well as individual supporters who did Hamilton city hall, Mayor Fred selling baked goods and refreshments from the Ellis neighbourhood who were O much of the legwork. This “alternative” Eisenberger presented the 2017 Monarch (there were eight in total), gave away able to partake in the BBQ thanks to garden awards program had over 50 Awards, a program that recognizes and 50 per cent of their proceeds to the everyone’s generous contributions. entrants this year. rewards the best of Hamilton’s sustain- Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club. A big shout Thanks to all those who partici- “Once again, we are thrilled by the able and pollinator-friendly residential out to Marianne and her daughter on pated in the event: hosts, sponsors, number of applications submitted in our gardens. Two of the winners are from Dunsmure for being so generous with singer-songwriter — Laura Keating, second year, and seeing the incredible the Crown Point neighbourhood: overall your time and the funds you raised! goodie stands, and our photographers gardens across the city” says Jen Baker, winner Amy Taylor and finalist Kelly There were 108 garage sale hosts, Jim Charlton and Paul Williamson. coordinator for the Pollinator Paradise Jamieson. Despite their distinct differen- which was 40 per cent more than the Spectacular weather and awesome Project. “The interest is there. It just ces, these gardens were created with care 77 in 2016. Host families raised $1,065 people made for an amazing event that keeps growing.” by informed and experienced gardeners for the Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club— will be tough to beat in 2018, but I’m Several Crown Point residents made whose design and plant choices reflect doubling last year’s donations! This year sure we can all pitch in again and give it to the “Buzzin’ Dozen” semi-finals: their values and personal style. an anonymous donor was able to fully it a try. Rosanna Bozzo-Fielding and Ingrid Amy was a finalist last year and her match the first $1,000 raised! Way to go Mayrhofer. Mark Rzadkowski is a Crown Point Edgemont Street garden wowed the judg- Crown Point! es with its colour and whimsy, as well as I know, personally, walking through resident and husband of Laura Vandette For profiles of the winning gardens, visit whose real estate business focuses on its huge number of pollinator-friendly the neighbourhood was quite a spec- www.monarchawardshamilton.org/ species. Amy says, “I enjoy seeing insects, tacle. There were cars and people all over the neighbourhood. Mark and Laura winners2017 birds and other wildlife interacting with the place looking for the next great stash organized the garage sale and fundraiser. of bargains on lawns and in driveways. THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 15

LOVIN’ YOUR GARDEN WARD 3 NEWS

Corn came from a wild grain called by Matthew Green our festival season such a success. From Growing old teosinte; its “cobs” were only an inch Francofest, to Barton Village Festival, long. The earliest carrots were grown in t’s back to school in our commun- to Seven Sundays, from Playday, to by Bev Wagar Afghanistan about 5,000 years ago – the Iity. Leaves are falling and the trees in Festival of Friends—neighbours were root was white or purple and the leaves Gage Park are beautiful shades of gold, able to enjoy free festival programming in our parks this summer. I’m sending magine being incredibly old and alone were edible. As with many edible tubers, red, and yellow for our neighbours to a huge thank you to all the volunteers, in the world, like the Ginkgo tree. The they were used mainly for medicine. enjoy. I staff, board members, and friends of our solitary Giinkgo is a single species in a For ornamental plants, evidence of We’ve heard from parents and summer festivals. Thank you for helping single genus that evolved 270 million human cultivation and selective breeding children about the need to revitalize playgrounds so children can have great to make our community an even more years ago, alongside dinosaurs and ferns. appears in the earliest written records. places to learn and play. I’m proud to vibrant place for all. Known as a “fossil” species, Ginkgo The first domesticated ornamental plant announce that we have partnered with I’d like to remind drivers to please survived unchanged over the epochs in was the rose, and the oldest rose still the Hamilton-Wentworth District be considerate and drive safely on our a small area in northern China. Now in cultivation is Rosa gallica. Growing School Board to help revitalize two pub- streets. We’re investing in traffic calm- planted worldwide and loved for its wild in southern Europe (“Gaul”), it was lic school parks in our ward. Memorial ing throughout our community, but we fan-shaped leaves, disease resistance, and valued for its bright red medicinal hips City School and Adelaide Hoodless each have a role to play. By taking our pollution tolerance, the Ginkgo has zero as much as for the bright pink flowers. will each receive $300,000. Half of this time, driving safely, and being courteous faunal associations. The wildlife species it Roses were cultivated as ornamentals in ancient Rome. Early Greek civilizations amount is funded from the Hamilton- we will help make everyone’s journey a once supported are long extinct. Wentworth District School Board and safe one. Gardeners who care about pollinators valued roses, and so did China and Japan where rose gardens existed 5,000 years ago. half is from our Ward 3 area rating. This and the decline in insect and bird popu- Please feel free to contact me or my office To a gardener though, an “old plant” project will help ensure that children in lations should choose plants with many if there is any way we may be of service. is one that’s thinning out in the middle. our community have access to improved faunal associations. Find the old types, You can reach us at 905-546-2702, or The “doughnut effect” is especially no- and first-class schools and facilities. the “species” versions of the plants you you can email me at Matthew.Green@ ticeable on ornamental grasses. Dividing In Gage Park you’ll notice a fenced- love, and use those. They are truly oldies off area with construction work. The hamilton.ca but goodies. and replanting chunks from the healthy outer ring and composting the center will revitalization of our Gage Park green- With plant breeders constantly trying house is a $4.2 million project that will to speed up evolution through selection rejuvenate these oldsters. Some ornamentals (roses, echin- create a premier facility. I’d like to thank and deliberate hybridizing, the “old” the Patrick J. McNally Foundation for aceas, and hostas come to mind) can varieties are sometimes hard to find. their generous gift of $350,000 to help live for many years with little or no Historians have collected garden seed this project. The new space will include human attention. Peonies can live for VOLUNTEERS catalogues dating from the early 1800’s. more community space and a state- fifty years or more. Some perennials, The RBG’s archives include several from of-the-art experience for visitors. The NEEDED though, are notoriously short lived, dying the Hamilton area in the late 1800’s. greenhouse is used to grow many of the after three or four years despite good Most of the variety names are unfamil- flowers that you see planted throughout FOR THIS care. Columbines, Lupins, Coreopsis, iar. Seed houses usually did not preserve the city. From the days of the Beautiful Gaillardia are in this group, but compen- NEWSPAPER the retired varieties, and seed banks only City movement, I’m happy that Ward 3, came into existence in the 1970’s when sate by re-seeding enthusiastically. our community, is able to play such an Like gardeners, perennials gener- the danger of globalized agriculture important role in making Hamilton a The Point is created through became apparent. ally improve with age, especially in the beautiful place to work, live, and play. These “lost” varieties number in the first three years. It’s the sleep-creep-leap Next year is Gage Park’s 100th the work of an army of thousands. In a U.S. study by the Rural phenomenon—plants loll about in their Anniversary. We pulled the official wonderful volunteers. We Advancement Foundation International, first year, develop slowly in their second records from City Hall archives and in plan, write, edit, layout, and researchers compared USDA listings of season, and go crazy in their third. So 1918 Hamilton City Council passed a before blaming the nursery or the plant proofread. We sell ads and seed varieties sold by commercial seed motion to purchase what would be Gage manage payments. We do houses in 1903 with those in the U.S. for not turning out like the photo on the Park from Robert Gage. I’m looking for- National Seed Storage Laboratory in tag, wait for a leap year. And, if you’re a ward to celebrating this milestone with this because we love our 1983. The survey, which included 66 newbie gardener, cut yourself some slack. our neighbours. community. We want to crops, found that about 93 per cent of Your leap year will come. We will be setting up a Gage Park share this passion with you. the varieties had gone extinct. 100th anniversary meeting and I’m ask- Crown Point resident Bev Wagar is That time frame was only 80 years. ing any interested community groups an Accredited Organic Landscape Looking much further back, before to please send me an email at Matthew. Practitioner who loves growing food in Contact us to chat at early humans adopted agriculture and [email protected] so we can keep you her community garden plots. Flowers, began selecting for desired traits such as in the loop on next steps. [email protected] however, she grows everywhere. size, sweetness, colour, we see the weird As we approach winter, I want to take ancestors of our modern food crops. a moment to thank all of our neigh- bours and friends who worked to make 16 THE POINT • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

CROWN POINT EVENTS

#AbsoluteAWE page for details. Professional wrestling comes back to Crown Point. The Royal Canadian Legion will host the When: Saturday, October 28, 7 p.m. best of Ontario’s talent and Chelsea Green, our special guest from Impact Wrestling and fea- Where: Narula’s Banquet Hall, 1162 Barton Street East tured on Pop TV weekly. Seven matches, and the main event features a world title match! When: Sunday, October 15, 2:30 p.m. Free Community BBQ Where: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 58, 1180 Barton Street East Join us for a free community BBQ at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Hallowe’en! We will also be celebrating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. Annual Fall Garden and Mum Show When: Tuesday, October 31, 5 - 7 p.m. The Chrysanthemum Show is an amazing floral display created by some of Hamilton’s Where: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 15 Wexford Avenue South finest horticulture staff. The display is a breathtaking feature of over 200 varieties of Chrysanthemums, and more than 75,000 blooms. For admission and details check hamiltonin- Christmas Shopping Day bloom.com. Get your Christmas on and find something special on Small Business Saturday while meeting When: October 20 to 29, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily the merchants from Main to Barton. Where: Gage Park Greenhouse When: Saturday, November 25, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Where: Ottawa Street North Fantastic Fossils - Clay Workshop and Family Park Walk This workshops will begin with a group walk through Gage Park, where children find and Delta United Church’s Annual “Get your Christmas Shopping Done!” Vendor and Craft collect objects and textures, which will be brought back to the Museum, where participants Show will make clay “fossil” impressions of treasures collected during their walk. Admission to this Free Admission - Wide Variety of Vendors and Artisans, Lunch Room and Bake Table. workshop is free but pre-registration is required. For families with children ages 5-11. To reg- Wheelchair accessible. ister for this workshop, please contact Bethany Osborne [email protected] or call When: Saturday, December 2, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 647-248-3893. Where: 47 Ottawa St S. at Maple Avenue When: Saturday, October 21, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Where: Hamilton Children’s Museum, Gage Park KENILWORTH BRANCH LIBRARY EVENTS All kinds of fun and free events are taking place this fall at the Kenilworth Library! Check hpl.ca/ Worship Concert and Hymn Sing events for a complete listing. Holy Family Catholic Church Music Ministry welcomes you to sing to the Lord a new song. Where: 103 Kenilworth Avenue North Refreshments will be served. Cost: freewill offering. When: Sunday, October 22, 3 - 4 p.m. Where: 1393 Cannon Street East (at Kenilworth Avenue) The next issue of The Point is December/January. Please send your information for all neighbourhood 3rd Annual Hallowe’en Spooktacular Gala Erich’s Cupboard will be holding our annual fundraiser for mental health awareness and the events to us by November 1st at Eva Rothwell Resource Centre. Tickets are $30.00 which includes a night of great DJ/live music, dancing, delicious food and your chance to win a door prize! See erichscupboard.com or our FB [email protected]

Clubs, cards, and camaraderie for seniors by Tyler Fish various times • Offers progressive euchre, bid eu- rown Point’s demographics may chre, contract bridge and duplicate Chave changed over the years, but it bridge has always been a walkable commun- • Each card group has luncheon so- ity with plenty of attractions for people cials throughout the year and there of all ages. Our neighbourhood’s prime are several bid euchre tournaments location in the heart of East Hamilton • Membership is $6/year means a variety of events and programs for senior residents are available within a In addition to official senior’s pro- short commute. Some of these programs grams, there are many organizations in are summarized below. the area offering events that may be of interest to older residents. The Royal YWCA Active Living Centre Canadian Legion (Hamilton Branch 58) Sir Winston Churchill Recreation Centre offers leagues for darts, billiards, snooker, 1715 Main St. E. cribbage, and euchre and runs a variety • Wide variety of ten-week programs of special events throughout the year. for fitness, dance, and technology The Young at Heart (Hamilton East) • Drop-in centre offers technology organization is also based out of the legion classes, bingo, bid euchre and pro- hall and runs bingo and euchre nights. gressive euchre Ryerson United Church offers seasonal • Membership is by class, with free euchre tournaments, while Laidlaw class passes available for those look- United Church hosts monthly bingo ing to try something new nights as well as numerous concerts. For • This location is the temporary those looking for a more active outing, home for the Ottawa Street Active Jimmy Thompson Memorial Pool offers Living Centre while the property is leisure swims as well as waterfit classes, redeveloped with monthly and yearly passes available for a low fee. The Roxborough Senior Centre More details on the programs can be 785 Britannia Ave. found by visiting www.hamilton.ca/ • Open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday parks-recreation/55-programming, or from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. by contacting the organizations directly. • Offers bingo, euchre and other games Regardless of your age, fall is a great as well as fitness and strength training season to get out, try something differ- • Other events include public speak- ent, and make some new friends while ers and pot-luck lunches you are at it. • Membership is $10/year Tyler Fish is a Delta graduate and lifelong Rosedale Seniors Club Crown Point resident currently studying Civil 100 Greenhill Ave. Engineering and Management at McMaster. • Programs run on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at