Seniors Being Seen 2024

The ‘New Horizon’ grant activities for the “Seniors Being Seen Program” are ongoing at Riverside Centre in Rock Creek, each Thursday from 1:30 – 3 pm.  Come and join us, it’s a free activity and there is lots to learn All seniors are welcome.  All programmes are about 50 minutes long (with time for questions/answers). Complimentary, catered refreshments are served after each session.

Scheduled Events:

Thursday, November 14, 1:30 pm – Roxanne Davyduck, “It’s Not Right – an Introductory Program for Neighbors, Friends & Families of Older Adults” Roxanne will help us understand how to identify high-risk, vulnerable adults who could benefit from some type of assistance to maintain their independence. This is a program of B.C. Association of the Community Response Networks.
Thursday, November 21, 1:30 pm – Norma Howes – “Raising a Great Horned Owl Family, a Photo-Documentary of  My Neighbors.”
Thursday, November 28, 1:30 pm – Adrianne Haynes – “What is Your Life Jacket?” Adrianne will facilitate our talking with each other about what it is that keeps us keeping-on in scary times – that “What” may be as varied and as different as we all are, and yet we may find great commonality in those differences.
Thursday, December 5, 1:30 pm – “Heather’s Yellow Door Boutique” Heather will update us on new services and inventory recently added to her fabulous, award winning Boutique. This savvy stylist will clue us in on Fashionista tricks for updating our existing favourite looks without breaking the bank. Bring your questions (and that long beloved, but maybe not hopeless, jacket) and plan to have FUN, FUN, FUN!!!
Thursday, December 12, 1:30 pm –  “Holiday Gathering” YES!, we have become a special little community of fascinating and disparate lives, united over these past THREE YEARS!!!! by our West Boundary’s natural beauty, and our unique rural culture. Join us for scrumptious holiday food – catered as always by the fabulous Leslie “Sam” Hall, and great conversations with old and new friends.

Past Events:

January 11th – “Once Upon a Time,” Writing our Legacies (continuation)
January 25th – Living in Unprecedented Times
February 1st – Shawn Bailey Teaching “How to Make Our Own Greeting Cards from Stuff We’ve Got Handy”
February 8th – Liz Bryan “Informal Conversation on the Process of Writing”
February 15th – Marie Bourg “How to Crochet a Rag Rug” – all materials supplied, take your project home!
February 22nd – “Lawyer and Advocate, Allan Early, Talking With Us About Issues We Face in Uncertain Times”
February 29th – “Legacies to Pay Forward: Identifying Those Who Have Made the Most Positive Difference in Your Life – An Interactive Bucket List Workshop.”
March 7th Michelle Babbin from ICBC, will present “Driving Tips Seniors Should Really Know About.
March 14th – Refreshments and Community Chat
March 21st – Are you new to the area?  Come out to our meet and greet.  Our hostess Shelly will be present and happy to hear which topics you would like to discuss/ learn about going forward in this super program. We have lovely catered refreshments by Sam Hall to enjoy. If you haven’t attended, plan on coming out, it’s a great way to meet new people.
March 28th – ‘Meet and Eat with your Neighbours to Relaxed Local Music’.  This is not a formal concert but a lovely afternoon to visit, listen and view our amazing (local) artist’s gallery and enjoy eat fresh, locally catered food.
April 5th – RDKB Presentation: In Forested Landscapes – Cumulative Hydrological Impacts, Disturbance Thresholds and Hydrological Sensitivities Presentation.
April 11th – ‘Join Us in Our Plastic Challenge’ Everyone of us can make a difference – buying tips to decrease plastic waste!
April 18th – Biologist Barb Stewart – ‘Small Actions to Take to make Positive Impacts on Boundary Ecosystems’
April 26th – ‘Jon Heaven’ Noted Hang Pan (metal drum) player in cafe concert.  Amazing and peaceful sounds. Admission is free, please join us.
May 2nd – Take our ‘Get Around Inventory’ to assess if you should consider behavioural Safety Management Guidelines Especially for Seniors.  This is a guided, interactive self assessment with handouts provided by Interior Health.
May 9th  – Freya Philips, RDKB Issues of Concern in Our Boundary
May 16th  – Crystal Sullivan, owner with husband Steve, of Love’nder Acres will talk with us about the intoxicating thousands year history of lavender. She promised to also bring and showcase some of the best sellers of their organic, lavender-oil based products.
May 23rd  – Scams are Getting Tricky-er Fraud Prevention presented by Cpl. Bill Hughes, RCMP
May 30th-  Taking Home Our Own ‘Poured Paintings’ A Workshop Taught by Regional Artist Rocio Graham (materials provided)
June 6th – Cowboy, Farmer, Ferrier: Challenges – Past and Present with Dave Arkell, who tells about his fascinating career in the Boundary.
June 13th  – ‘About Livestock Behavior and Savvy Livestock Handling’, or How DOES that little lady move those big animals without getting herself smushed-up? with Emmalee Williamson, Agriculturalist
June 20th-  ‘CBD for Seniors with Aches and Pains’ Tracy Davies from Cahoots in Rock Creek
June 27th – Rachel Lautard of Lind Creek Saddlery will speak with us about her ‘Custom Leather Work and Repairs – Saddles, Tack, Chaps and More’
July 4th – Olivia Schneider, Invasive Species –  “Considering Divesting from Exploitive Industries” – in this programme, Ms. Schneider will provide us with information, perspectives and options not widely known or discussed.
July 11th  – Vicki Gee and Pat Henley – “What Do Various ‘Economic Development’ Strategies Mean for Us in the Boundary, Which Strategies Will Serve Us Well? and Just Who is this ‘Us’ ???”
July 18th – Janine LaCasse, the “Ukulele Lady,” – Teaching us to play songs with basic two-chords and up/down strumming. You do not have to have a Ukulele to attend but bring yours if you have one. Learn new skills in a fun, lighthearted way, which you can share with friends and grandchildren!
July 25th –  Ginette Shirrmeister, Citizens Services Specialist, Service Canada will present us with an overview of services of interest and help to Senior Citizens. We are very fortunate for her to be able to come to us and  to respond in person to our individual questions. Ms. Shirrmeister will be able to follow up this presentation with a  scheduled “clinic” to to meet with Seniors individually to discuss and sign up for services. DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT BE MISSING (aside from wrinkles) ???August 1st – … Spencer Condon, Licensed BC Paramedic, will discuss how the newly enhanced Community Paramedicine program for the Boundary, employs Licensed Paramedics in NON-URGENT settings such as in patients’ homes or community settings. This program interfaces and enhances the regular care of your primary and specialist physicians. It can provide home health monitoring (crisis prevention) of complex issues between your regular medical appointments, including conditions such as COPD, co-morbidities, diabetes, hypertension, and many others. We are excited to learn about how to best use this new program to improve Senior wellness at home.
August 8th – “Horses I Have Loved and Learned From” – Ginger Ferguson has loved, owned and personally cared for over 140 horses in her lifetime. Recently this Program Co-ordinator visited Ms. Ferguson’s Kettle River Ranch to meet and learn to hand feed four of her horses. I was terrified, able to keep all my fingers and absolutely smitten! Especially with Ms. Ferguson’s personal relationships with these amazing creatures. Join us to see beautiful photographs and hear her fascinating stories about just a few of her friends – all as varied and different, as the children and relatives you know, in their needs, talents and temperaments!
August 15th “Heart Centered Breathing Practices” – How do we “Dial It Down,” when the next horrible head line unbelievably tops the last??? Carsen Bartell, working in equine healing of humans, has developed practica ways we can tune in to “heart centering” through breathing. This is not a simplistic, mechanistic approach to physical and inner wellness. Join us to experience what you and your body already know – the calm you already have and can access anytime and anywhere. Re-acquaint yourself with this simple practice in a safe and personal way, with a safe and respectful teacher.
Sept 5th “Community Paramedicine – Helping You and Your Doctors Manage COPD, Asthma and Other Respiratory Conditions.” Spencer Condon, EMT will talk with us about the special needs of Seniors and respiratory health, how Paramedicine home visits can help you and your physician stabilize your condition, especially to avert emergency intervention. Mr. Condon will also give us important and related updates about influenza and Covid developments for Fall 2024.
Sept 12th – Jacob MacMillan, live at Riverside Centre. Jacob will present an all original acoustic guitar performance.
Sept 19th – Dave Arkell, Boundary Rancher & Ferrier – My Career with Horses & Cattle.  Listen to Mr. Arkell’s entertaining Stories & Yarns. Be sure to come relaxed, wearing your cowboy boots and hat- Dave always does!
September 26th – Training Our Volunteer Firefighters – Chief Walter Osellame (retired) will talk with us about his career in the Boundary training men and women volunteers for their heroic work in not only making us safe but in how they stay alive while fighting these catastrophic disasters.
October 10th  – “YaMaY Botanicals.” Greenwood small business owners, Nina and Anne, bring us their vision organic, botanical personal skin and body care – not just good for our bodies, but good for our earth, Especially as they come in earth friendly packaging. Support local business, support the environment! Samples…
October 17th – Osoyoos Credit Union will talk with us about “Wrapping Up Our Financial Loose Ends.” Bring your questions and receive helpful guidance. Free workbook.
October 24th  – “What Is My New Normal?” A conversation with Community Paramedic, Spencer Condon, EMT to reframe aging proactively by identifying what it means for each of us to enhance our health optimally in terms of exercise, diet, “re-creation.” Find your healthy balance.
October 31st – ‘Bussing to Beaverdell’ – the bus leaves Riverside Centre at 11:15 am.  Presentation begins at noon (includes a free bagged lunch) ‘Meet EMT Spencer Condon, our Community Paramedic’ – about the Community Paramedicine Free Interior Health Coverage of Individual Home Visits, and how to get assistance with the medical Case Management of your Physician’s Care Plan.  Please call the Seniors Being Seen program coordinator Michele Garrison at 250-442-2415.
November 8th – 1:30 pm Back by overwhelming demand, ‘Jon Heaven in Concert on the Hang Pan’.  A brilliant musical talent, Jon lays for us again this rarely heard and treasured instrument.  Don’t miss him this time around, especially if you want to really feel the special and spiritual magic of this season.