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NSMP ADVISORY BOARD

Chair John Fennell Vice Chair&

Constitution

Bob Sullivan

Treasurer Chris Cruttwell Finance Chair Chris Cruttwell Activities Chair Bob Sullivan &

Maureen Cleland Property Chair &

Planning Chair Valerie Foti &

Bob Sullivan Games Chair Russ Howe Public Relations Carol Fairley Newsletter Editor Joy Ribbans Special Events &

Fundraising Maureen Cleland &

Micheline Koumi Kitchen & Catering Ann Kernohan &

Nancy Moriarty-

Hussey Recording

Secretary Linda Devereux

TOWN STAFF Programmer Admin Co-ord. Clerk

Jason Malone Bianca Mendes Denise Cook

Advisory Board Chair Message

Hello Everyone,

Since our last Newsletter, the weather has at

last taken a turn for the better so out with the

Sunscreen and hats for those of us that are a

bit thin on TOP.

Davis Drive is again in an upheaval with lanes

being closed due to planting taking place in

the flower beds so please, be extra careful

when out driving.

I'm sure you will all remember Larry Blight? I

was looking forward to working with Larry

when he was Chair of the Advisory Board but

sadly, that did not happen but it was nice to

see that a "Parkette" has been named for him.

Larry had a great sense of humour and he did

a lot for the Town of Newmarket.

The Badminton Group challenged the

Recreation Dept., to a Badminton Match and

this was played on Friday, May 13th, and the

Seniors came out on top 11 - 1. Everyone

enjoyed the Games and had fun. The

Recreation Dept. were just great, everyone

played their hearts out and the nice thing is

they want to play us again so this is something

to look forward to.

In closing it was nice for the Meeting Place to

receive a Government Grant and no

doubt this will help out with necessary

purchases.

I hope everyone has a great Summer, just take

care and be safe.

John Fennell

Programmer Message

It has been a very busy few months here at the

NSMP, as we’re constantly working to add

new programs, events, services, and other

opportunities here at the centre.

The monthly bulletins and email alerts are

proving to be very useful in getting

information out there, so be sure to let Denise

know your email address if you want to be

added to the list.

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It is one of the best ways to be kept up to date

on what’s going on. With that in mind, let me

know if you have any ideas for the centre, and

we’ll see what we can put together.

Jason Malone

Newsletter Editor Message

I hope you all enjoyed our last issue. There is

much more in this edition for your perusal,

including the following items I have been

made aware of:

Canada Post: If your community mail box is

difficult to reach into or is too low to see to the

back of the box, leave a note for the mailman

and they will have a tray installed that pulls

forward. Problem solved. You can also

contact customer service at 1-800-267-1177 or

visit canadapost.ca/support to make your

request.

Ontario Lowers Drug Costs for Over 170,000

More Low-Income Seniors

Ontario is making changes to the Ontario

Drug Benefit (ODB) Program that will allow

more than 170,000 seniors to become newly

eligible for the low-income seniors program. As

a result, they will save approximately $130 on

average per year in out-of-pocket drug costs

and almost half-a-million Ontario seniors will

pay no deductible and only a co-payment of

up to $2 per prescription.

Starting August 1, 2016, the government

proposes to increase the income thresholds to

qualify for the low-income seniors benefit:

● from less than $16,018 to less than or

equal to $19,300 for single seniors, and

● from less than $24,175 to less than or

equal to $32,300 for senior couples.

These new thresholds are aligned with the

Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System

and will be indexed to ensure they remain

aligned in future benefit years. With these

changes, Ontario seniors will continue to enjoy

the lowest on average out-of-pocket drug costs

of any seniors across the provinces in Canada.

In addition to changes to benefit low-income

seniors, the 2016 Budget also included

proposed changes to drug cost contributions

by non-low income seniors. Over the past

month, the Province has consulted with

Ontarians on these proposed changes and

received feedback from seniors and

representative organizations. Based on this

feedback, the government is pausing the

planned increases to drug cost contributions

‎from seniors who are not low-income.

Beginning this year the government will

continue to consult on the correct income

thresholds for an improved Ontario Drug

Benefit, with a view to creating a fair,

sustainable system that remains among the

most generous in Canada.‎

Making drugs more affordable for low-income

seniors is part of the government's plan to

build a better Ontario through its Patients

First: Action Plan for Health Care, which

provides patients with faster access to the

right care; better home and community care;

the information they need to live healthy; and

a health care system that is sustainable for

generations to come.

*NOTE: Applications for the Seniors Co-

Payment Program, found at local Pharmacies,

should be completed and sent to Ministry of

Health and Long-Term Care as early as

possible prior to August 1st.

For the full article copy and paste the following

link into your browser.

https://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2016/04/ont

ario-lowers-drug-costs-for-over-170000-more-

low-income-seniors.html.

Joy Ribbans

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Welcome to Our New Members:

On behalf of Jason Malone, Recreation

Programmer, the Advisory Board and the

members of Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting

Place, we extend a warm and sincere

welcome to our new members:

Jose Ranea, Jim Spurgeon, Peggy

Spurgeon, Vicki Morley, Rob Thomas,

Cathy Van Gennip, John Erskine, Leslie

Pritchard, Pat Porter, Betty Skrupskas,

Aldona Skrupskas, Gerald Graham, Anne

Samson, Lois Brown, Marlene Hart ,

Barbara Yates, Bob Haggart , Diane

Haggart, Mary Vieni Constantine

Xintaris, Rachel Xintaris, Anna Mueller,

Patricia Ziricino, Susan Boyd Van Exan,

Sue Battle , Darlene Pickard, Eugene

Kelly, Marnie Parkin, Gail Martin,

Yoshiko Nonoyama, Helga Jones, Joyce

Scott, Michael Kiely, Marilyn Willoughby,

Jean McAllister, Cynthia Rapley, Nellie

Rochacewich, Tony Notarfonzo, Cathy

Notarfonzo, Michaela Kraus, Rita Thomas

, Howard Thomas, Elisabeth Hempen,

Stuart Aldridge, Barbara Johnston, Lynne

Fitzpatrick , Gord Sands, Nancy

Balcombe, Regina Brown, Andrey Baca ,

Marilyn Church , Yan Jiang , Wenda

Jiang, Susan Aquino, Omo Persaud ,

Adele Brodhagen, Alfreda Bak, Mark

Hanley, Marsha Pilgrim.

DIGNITARIES AT NSMP

On Wednesday April 27th our Member of

Parliament Kyle Peterson paid a special

visit to NSMP. It was really very special

as also present was MPP Chris Ballard,

Our Mayor, Tony Van Bynen, Regional

Councillor and Deputy Mayor John

Taylor, and several councillors from

Newmarket. The Mayor of Aurora,

Geoffrey Dawe, was also present.

Our Mayor introduced Mr. Peterson to a

packed audience and he said he had been

given a tour of the NSMP and was duly

impressed. Mr. Peterson then went on to

tell us that he was here on behalf of Jean-

Yves Duclos, Federal Minister of Families,

Children and Social Development, to let us

know that the Government of Canada were

supporting several organizations for

community based projects for seniors.

M.P. Kyle Peterson

Our grant is $25,000.00 and will be put to

a wonderful use, NEW CHAIRS. We have

had our chairs for 20 years (they were

second hand when we got them from the

Roman Palace) with a few new ones and a

few repairs. Jason said that the new chairs

will be a mesh type chair that folds similar

to the ones the Aurora Seniors Center has.

NSMP members thank the Government

for this grant and we are lucky to have

our wonderful organizational group to help

us find and apply for grants to aid us with

financial help.

Kyle addresses a Packed Room

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CANADA DAY STRAWBERRY TEA

On June 26th we held our Sunday tea. As

it was so near July 1st we decided to make

it a Canada Day Strawberry Tea.

Members came in red and white and

tickets sold out quickly. We had the same

entertainer that you all enjoyed at the

Christmas Luncheon. Everyone had some

fun, enjoyed good tea, sandwiches and

strawberry shortcake. Good company was

had and new friends made.

Good times at the tea

Wouldn’t be possible without the Tea Committee.

A few members are camera shy, and missing from

the photo.

Bustin’ a Move on the dance floor

NEWMARKET SENIORS’ MEETING PLACE

STARS ARE BORN

Three members of NSMP, Joyce Bellord,

Rita Hooper and Joan Pelham, have made

their television debut. The program is called

“Think Back.” It gives you a chance to talk

about your life. the ups, downs, laughter and

tears. There is a list of questions and if you

choose not to answer any of them you don’t

have to. The interviewer is so sweet,

extremely compassionate and leads you into

your story very easily. Joyce Bellord’s story

aired on April 10th, Rita Hooper’s on April

17th and Joan Pelham on April 24th. NSMP

has thousands of years of interesting lives and

Rogers would like to continue this program.

Please, if you are lucky enough to have some

memorable moments in your life, go to the

office and tell Jason. You are given the CD so

it is something to hand over to your children.

Several members sat in the lounge on a

Thursday after lunch and watched Joyce

Ballord’s interview. Joyce did an incredible

interview you could hear a pin drop. Well done

Joyce.

Watch for more episodes to come.

Joan Pelham

Joan Pelham and Joyce Bellord

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MAH JONG

The Mah Jong club was started in 2012.

When it began there were two or three

tables! Now the program has fifty

members, and it is nothing to see eight

tables playing. I dropped in on a Monday

afternoon and everyone was having a great

time. The program begins at One o' clock ,

they take a break at two thirty, and then

continue until four o'clock. You don’t

have to play the whole time, you can go in

and play for the first or second half. They

are a terrific group of people; they even go

out to lunch once a month. Mah Jong is

played Monday & Friday. If you are

interested pop in and watch. There are

people who will teach you how to play this

Great Game.

Joan Pelham

Some of the Mah-Jong Players enjoying

the game. See all the smiles.

ART SHOW & SALE

The Town held their second Art Show & Sale

on Saturday June 4th at the Newmarket

Community Centre.

The event featured 24 artists, which

included participants of the NSMP art

classes, members and instructors. Over

200 visitors stopped by to check out and

purchase the work created.

The event went really well and we look

forward to next year’s show when we hope

there will be even more participants.

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York Region 55+ Games - Mah Jong The 55+ Games have been held in York

Region for several years, however Mah Jong

has been introduced this year, 2016, for the

first time.

The challenge became apparent when

distribution of the Registration forms began

because of the two different versions of this

game being played in the Senior Centres within

the Region. These are the American and

Hong Kong versions.

The formulations of the rules were based on

the Hong Kong version and the points system

was based on the Newmarket scoring system

with a few modifications and renamed the

York Region 55+ Competition Rules and

Regulations.

Thanks go to the Games Committee for

including Mah Jong in their 55+ Competition

and to Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place for

providing the venue and refreshment facilities

at short notice and to all the competitors for

their professionalism.

Congratulations to Lillian Shaw, Charlotte

Alderson and Norna Malizia as the gold, silver

and bronze medalists respectively. Other

competitors included: Patricia Berry, Maureen

Huismans, Sofia Romero, Micheline Koumi,

Nancy Prime, Martha Mortensen, Fanny

Yeung, Suzanne Larcina, Carol Weaver, Karen

Watson, Betty Yuen, Mike Zeitoun and Chico

Persaud.

Financial

Literacy

Workshops

The six sessions that wrapped up in March

were very popular and successful. Hosted by

John Errington (a member of the NSMP and

its Financial Advisor), John brought us an

understandable appreciation of financial

planning and investing.

John will be back in the fall and winter with

four more sessions planned for October,

November, February and March. He will once

again have some great guest speakers join him

to address matters requested by the members

of NSMP including Estate Planning (part 3),

all about registered plans (such as Tax Free

Savings Accounts and RRIFs), generating

income and protecting yourself online.

Plan to join us - whether you are an

experienced investor or a beginner or have no

experience - these workshops have proven to

be marvellous opportunities to improve our

financial literacy.

For more details or if you have any questions

or suggestions please call John at 905-898-

6262.

19th Annual Golf Tournament

34 players enjoyed great weather and a

wonderful BBQ at Mill Run Golf Club on

June 21st. We had a number of player

challenges during the tournament, with

the following results:

Putting - Fran Smith, Joann Nixon

Longest Drive - Patricia Berry, Gord Claus

Lowest Score – Kim Watson, Gord Claus

Closest to the Pin - Kim Watson

Most Accurate Drive – Jim Law

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WHAT IS

"THE GRANDPARENT CONNECTION"?

At the Christmas Tea in 2015 I was

approached by Valerie Luttrell; Valerie asked

if she could sponsor the St Patrick’s Tea. As

most of you are aware, we try and have the

entertainment and the center pieces sponsored

for each tea, and I was delighted to think I

didn’t have to go look for a sponsor. The St.

Patrick’s Day tea was the best St Paddy’s tea

yet! I have included some pictures.

So what is "The Grandparent Connection?"

I asked Valerie some questions and here is

what she told me:-

The organization was started by Valerie and is

currently run by herself with the help of

family members. The group started in

November 2013. They have many initiatives

including the annual “Stockings for Seniors,”

"The Greeting Card Program" (to which many

of our members drop off cards in the box in the

front hall). They host the “Old Fashioned

Christmas Craft Show” (this year’s event is on

November 12th at Newmarket Community

Centre), “Community Cares” where they do

some outreach for senior’s, usually receiving

info from neighbours. “School Links” where

they are gradually getting elementary schools

involved helping to make cards and artwork

which is distributed during the year.

They are currently working on some new

initiatives “Floranthopy” Flowers are donated,

put together in small arrangements to be

delivered to lonely seniors in hospital,

residences, long term facilities and in the

community.

“Helping Hand” has community members

donating medical/physical assist devices such

as wheelchairs walkers etc. You can visit their

webpage to see some of the other things they

do. www.thegrandparentconnection.com

At Christmas of 2015, NSMP members were

great with so many amazing donations of

stocking stuffers and small gifts. With their

help they were able to distribute

approximately 100 stockings and multiple gifts

to seniors in residences, long term care

facilities and in the community.

Valerie thanked you all for allowing her to get

involved with the St Patrick’s Day Tea. She

really wants to cement a solid connection

between NSMP and The Grandparent

Connection.

I was duly impressed with Valerie and I know

everyone enjoyed the St Patrick’s Tea; On

behalf of NSMP I would to thank Valerie and

the Grandparent Connection.

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All decorations including table decorations

provided out of pocket by Valerie Luttrell of

The Grandparent Connection

Joan Pelham

The Renoir

The Newmarket Seniors' Meeting Place has

luncheons on Mondays and Thursdays and we

would like to thank The Renoir for the

delicious cakes that we have enjoyed for

dessert on those days. It has been greatly

appreciated by everyone who attends these

luncheons.

Again, Thank You to The Renoir.

The Wood Shop:

Flavio Morandin, the convenor for our

woodshop, and Don Zecchino for wood

carving, are ready and willing to share their

know-how with the rest of us. Earlier this

month, members and budding artisans

Justina, Maria, and Sabine, each paid $10.00

for materials, guidance and instruction in the

use of machinery and tools; each came away

from the mini workshop with a beautifully

crafted, hand-turned wooden pen and a new

set of skills.

You too can learn something new, or just

make use of machines such as the lathe, router,

drill press, table saw, band saw, compound

mitre saw, scroll saw etc. You can make

repairs for home, or produce artisan-quality

items ideal for gift-giving such as bar tools,

candlesticks, drawer pulls, toys etc. You might

like to learn marquetry, intarsia, or relief

carving. For figure carving, blanks (e.g. in the

shape of a bear or fish) are available for you to

bring to life.

Because of the machinery, rules are in place

governing safety and everyone working in the

shop must take part in a Wood Shop Safety

Orientation.

- it's only one 2-hour session. Confidence

comes with the guidance and support provided

generously by our volunteer convenors and

supervisors.

Flavio says that you're welcome at the

woodshop, and that, "It's easy.... anyone can

do it!"

Lynne Bateman

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Brain Fitness Health Seminar

Last month’s Brain Fitness Health Seminar

went really well. We had over 40 people in to

listen to Jill Hewlett - author, speaker,

Educational Kinesiologist and Brain Gym

consultant.

The essence of her message: everyone can

proactively build a Fit Brain and a Fit Life!

She provided a number of user-friendly tools

to help change and strengthen cognitive

pathways.

As well, Ben Fuchs joined us for the eventing.

Ben is a World renowned “Nutritional

Pharmacist” is a registered pharmacist,

nutritionist and skin care chemist for over 30

years. He educates and empowers people to

take charge of their biochemistry through

foods and supplements, rather than using

prescription drugs.

We are in the early planning stages to have

both Jill and Ben back in late fall, in a further

effort to provide access to additional health

information.

Also, we’re planning an Information Fair for

Saturday October 1st, which will feature a

vendor tradeshow as well and multiple

informative sessions on maintaining your

health. The event will focus on everyone over

50 years of age.

Anything Goes Bus Trip

Back in May, members and guests went on a

bus trip to St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. and

enjoyed an afternoon play “Anything Goes,”

along with a buffet lunch and some free time

in St. Jacobs.

Getting ready to go

The Playhouse

A scenic place to visit

(Photos courtesy of Roland,

Photog Photographer)

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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Canada Day Centre is

Closed

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Closed

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Centre is

Closed

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Centre is

Closed

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Centre is

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Centre is

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Summer

Registered

Programs Start

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Foot Care

Clinic

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Friday Night

Social Dance

8 to 11 p.m.

$5 Mem

$6 Non-Mem

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Trivia Pub Night

7-10pm

Members $5

Non-Member $10

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Fallsview

Casino

$10 members

$15 non-

members

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Book Club

10am – 11am

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474 Davis Drive, Newmarket, ON L3Y 2P1 - Tel: 905-953-5325

Website: www.newmarket.ca/adults55+

During the Maintenance Closure, Registration will continue at the Magna

Centre, Ray Twinney, Town Offices and Online!

Look for August and September Calendars at the beginning of each month.

Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place

July 2016

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DR

OP

IN

SC

HE

DU

LE

– J

uly

& A

ug

ust

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Day Program Room Time

Monday

Wood Carvers Wood Shop 9 a.m. to noon Arts & Craft Room Craft Room 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Computer Room Access Computer Room 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. BBQ Patio / Hall 1 & 2 Noon to 1 p.m.

Shuffleboard Hall 3 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Progressive Bridge Hall 1 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Bingo Hall 3 1 to 4 p.m. Duplicate Bridge Hall 5 1 to 4 p.m.

Mah-jong Hall 4 1 to 4 p.m.

Tuesday

Wood Shop Wood Shop 9 a.m. to Noon Computer Room Access Computer Room 9am to 2pm & 4pm to 9 pm

Badminton Hall 3, 4 & 5 8:30 to 10 a.m. Bid Euchre Hall 2 1 to 4 p.m.

Advisory Board – 3rd

Tuesday Hall 1 & 2 10am to noon Tech Support OR Classes Computer Room 2pm to 4pm

Texas Hold'em Hall 2 1 to 4 p.m. Carpet Bowling Hall 4 & 5 7 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday

Wood Carvers Wood Shop 9 a.m. to Noon Computer Room Access Computer Room Noon. to 9 p.m.

Art & Craft Room Craft Room 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Curling Hall 3 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Qi Gong Hall 4 1 pm to 2:30pm

SMP In House Band Practice Craft Room 6pm to 8pm Book Club - Last Wednesday Hall 4 10:00am

Photogs Workshop - 3rd

Wednesday Hall 4 10 a.m. to noon Table Tennis Hall 3 1 to 4 p.m.

Thursday

Badminton Hall 3, 4 & 5 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Computer Room Access Computer Room 9am to 2pm & 4pm to 9 pm

Tech Support Computer Room 2pm to 4pm Wood Shop Wood Shop 9 a.m. to noon

BBQ Patio / Hall 1 & 2 noon to 1 p.m. Shuffleboard Hall 3 1 to 3 p.m.

Tai Chi Practice Time Hall 4 & 5 11 am - noon Bid Euchre Hall 1 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Cribbage Hall 1 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Friday

Art & Craft Room Craft Room 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Computer Room Access Computer Room 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Progressive Bridge Hall 1 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Mah-jong Hall 5 1 to 4 p.m.

Carpet Bowling Hall 3 1:30 to 4 p.m. SMP In House Band Practice Hall 3 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Progressive Euchre Craft Room 7 to 10 p.m. Friday Night Social Dance (2

nd & 3

rd Friday) Halls 1 - 5 8 pm to 11pm

Saturday Badminton Hall 3, 4 & 5 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Computer Room Access Computer Room 9am to 11am Locations within the NSMP are subject to change.

Member drop in fees vary by program. A Drop-In Day pass must be purchased by Non-Members ($2) who wish to participate.

The Wood Shop can only be used by members who have completed the Wood Shop Safety Orientation.

The Holiday & Maintenance Closure runs from July 1 to July 10, 2016