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OAIA News & Views

News & Views

February 2019

MARKHAM SENIORS ACTIVITY CENTRE 22 WATER STREET, MARKHAM , ON

Hello everyone,

I trust you all enjoyed your

Christmas and New Year’s

break. A key happening in

December was the Christmas

luncheon catered by the

Village Grocer. It was a huge

success thanks to Norma Matus who assembled

a great team. Our sincere appreciation to all the

wonderful ladies who were involved. In February

we are hosting our first ever Chinese New Year

luncheon. It will take place on Monday, February

11 and is being coordinated by Cha Pin Lee. I’m

also pleased to tell you Jeanne Colvin has once

again offered to organize a Valentine’s luncheon.

It will take place on Friday, February 15. Both

events promise to be most enjoyable so please

lend your support. Tickets are limited and to

ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to

purchase their ticket, we have placed a maximum

of two tickets per transaction. I remind everyone

these are member only events unless there are

unsold tickets in the final week.

A recent undertaking by the Club is an orientation

program for new members. This one-hour

session explains Club history, objectives and

operations. The goal is to shorten the learning

curve for new members and to give them a better

overall understanding of what the Club has to

offer. The first session took place on January 16

and was well received. An information poster with

PRESIDENT’S REPORT … Mark Barrett the dates for the next two sessions can be found

in this newsletter.

Work has started on the new building at 18 Water

St. During the construction we will be subjected to

disruptions and parking especially will be a

challenge. One suggestion made is to consider

carpooling with a fellow activity attendee. I am also

requesting those of us who can, please park in the

upper lot, leaving the nearest parking spots open

for our physically challenged members. Your

cooperation is appreciated.

February can be treacherous so please do be

careful out there especially when it’s icy. City staff

do their best to keep things safe. They are diligent

in snow clearing and salt application but still there

can be slick areas which are best avoided. Keep in

mind too, if you know someone who lives alone,

check in with them occasionally. It’s wonderful to

see our programs and activities back in full swing

and being enjoyed by so many. My thanks to all

the volunteer Convenors and their helpers. You

are the bedrock of our Club and the main reason

behind our success in fulfilling our mandate of

providing physical, mental and social contact for

seniors in Markham.

If you have suggestions for a new program or

activity, make a note and put it in our suggestion

box. We ask that you sign the note to ensure that

it will be considered. Enjoy your Club, offer to help

and thank your Convenors for their efforts. Please,

wear your badge, and as a New Year’s resolution,

consider trying something new.

OAIA News & Views 2

Markham Seniors’ Activity Centre– 22 Water Street, Markham, ON L3P 7P9

Phone: 905-294-5111 OAIA website: http://www.markhamseniorcentre.com

The News & Views is published nine times annually

President Mark Barrett

Vice President Mike Huffman

Publisher Jean Lew

Proofreader

Marjorie Nielsen

Treasurer Sal Tan

Assistant Treasurer

Shirley Eison

Secretary Audrey Hillis

Membership Director

Joan Green

Directors

Audrey Daga

Fred DiBello

Helena Miscampbell Pat Watson Wendy Wise

Newsletter Contact- [email protected]

Note- Members are reminded both they and the public can view the newsletter at:

www.markhamseniorcentre.com. Please use caution before providing any personal information.

LUNCH LEARN LINGER

Monday, February 4th

11:45 - 1:00 pm

Tentative, Markham Public Library Virtual program


Chinese New Year Lunch $10.00 Tickets at Front Desk


Family Day, Centre closed


11:45 - 1:00 pm

The Melody Makers

...Marjorie Nielsen Convenor

DISCLAIMER The publication of any advertisements in this newsletter is not to be construed as an endorsement of the

product or service offered unless it is strictly stated in the ad that there is such endorsement or approval.

LUNCH

mailto:www.markhamseniorcentre.com

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:www.markhamsenircentre.com

OAIA News & Views 3

CHRISTMAS LUNCH - Dec 14th, 2018

I would like to thank everyone who helped make our Christmas Lunch a success. We had a sold out event and Village Grocer outdid themselves with a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

If it was not for our volunteers, we would not be able to have these wonderful celebrations. So, I would like to thank Joyce McDowell, Ina Bowie, Muriel Smillie, Dorothy Thomas, and Mary Lou Busato for their great help. The energy these ladies have is something else. I would also like to thank Jeanne Colvin for her great effort in getting us all the door prizes. I also can't forget our custodians who set up and tear down all the tables and chairs and are willing to help when needed.

The followings are all the wonderful people in our community who supplied us with all

the door prizes:

I believe a great time was had by all and the carol singing was awesome...

■ AMICA – SWAN LAKE, MARKHAM

■ AMICA – UNIONVILLE

■ CITY OF MARKHAM – DON HAMILTON, JIM JONES, KAREN REA

■ DIXON-GARLAND FUNERAL HOME

■ GARDEN BASKET, MARKHAM

■ NO FRILLS, VAN SPALLS

■ NO FRILLS, VISCONTI

■ O.A.I.A. – CRAFT GROUP

■ O.A.I.A. KNITTING GROUP

■ ROUGE VALLEY NURSING HOME, MARKHAM

■ SAINT ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MARKHAM

■ SAINT ANDREW’S UNITED CHURCH, MARKHAM

■ SAINT JUSTIN’S CHURCH, UNIONVILLE

■ SHERIDAN NURSERIES, MARKHAM

■ STOUFFVILLE CREEK NURSING HOME, STOUFFVILLE ■ VILLAGE GROCER, UNIONVILLE

■ MURIEL THOMSON (OAIA MEMBER)

Norma Matus

Coordinator

OAIA News & Views 4

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

If you joined the Club within the last six months, you are cordially invited to attend a one-hour orientation session to familiarize you with the history and the operation of the Club. This is your opportunity to ask questions and to meet other new members.

The sessions are scheduled on the third Wednesday of each month. The next two sessions are on February 20 and March 20, beginning at 3:30 pm in the East Room.

Please sign up for a session that is most convenient for you. We look forward to seeing you there.

Space is limited. Check the Sign-up Binder at the Front Desk for availability of spots. If full, please leave your name on the waiting list.

Morning Book Club read Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel in December and we are now reading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Afternoon Book Club read The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd in December and we are now reading The Golden Son by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.

OAIA News & Views 5

FROM THE TRAVEL DESK - FEBRUARY 2019

We are starting off 2019 with a day trip to the Famous People Players Theatre in Etobicoke which

includes a delicious sit-down lunch, served by the entertainers, show, a most tasty dessert, and

beverage (non-alcoholic) all at the one location. You can have a glass of wine but there is an

additional cost. From there, we will venture to the St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto for

some shopping where you can get a variety of foods--meat, seafood, fresh vegetables, and fruit,

home baking, etc. This trip is on Wednesday, February 20th. At this writing there are still seats

available. Please inquire at the Travel Desk.

We will be talking with our Tour companies shortly to arrange future events for the coming year. The

companies do not get the events schedule available to us until the end of January to mid February.

We will give you further updates in the upcoming News & Views or inquire at the Travel Desk.

Finally, I would just like to thank Jeanne Colvin for once again getting us free tickets to the Magna

Christmas Show at the Newmarket Theatre. We went to the December 3rd

afternoon performance.

For anyone who hesitated to see the show because John McDermott was not the headliner this year,

hesitate no more. The entertainers for this year's show--Beverley Mahood and friends put on an

excellent show. We did need our own transportation but we got entertained, fed after the show and

given a useful gift on the way out. Here is hoping we have the opportunity again this December.

… Mary Lou Busato

Convenor

These are the dates until June 2019:

Thursday, February 14th

, March 14th

, April 11th

, May 9th

, June 13th

Please note- We must have 45 persons on the bus each time we go. If not, it costs the Centre $20.00

for each under the 45 people.

When you sign up and don’t show up, we must pay the bus company this money. We understand if

you become ill, but just not showing up is not fair to all the club members. Thank you for remembering

this. Marjorie Nielsen Convenor

OAIA News & Views 6

Red’s Burgers & Bingo

Friday, February 22nd

at 11:45 am ……... $5.00

Hamburger or Sausage

Ice Cream and Cookies

Tea or Coffee

Followed by Bingo

Please purchase your tickets by 3:30 pm019, Wednesday, Feb. 20th.

KITCHEN NEWS FOR FEBRUARY, 2019

15th

, 2019

Tickets go on sale January 2019

OAIA News & Views 7

The Danger of Gossip It seems so harmless. That little chitchat at the water cooler about so and so. The debate over someone’s relationship with someone else. The speculation about “you-know-who.” Is it chitchat or is it gossip? How can you tell the difference? And who cares? The truth is that there is a very big difference, and it is an important one, because gossip run amok can be dangerous and destructive to an organization.

Gossip or idle chitchat? So, how does one tell the difference between idle chatter or gossip? While idle chitchat and other light conversation can be value neutral—meaning it casts neither good or bad aspersions on the subject matter, gossip is often negative, inflammatory and embarrassing to the person being spoken of.

Here is a test: Consider the impact of what is being said. Does it cast negative aspersions?

Does it create rifts? Does it exult in the misfortune of others? Does it have a negative emotional charge? Does it serve to perpetuate conflict or negativity? Is it hurtful or damaging? Is it something you would say in front of that person?

Gossip can hurt: Gossip can have many adverse side effects on an organization. It can increase conflict and decrease morale. It can result in strained relationships. Gossip breaks down the trust level within the group. Gossip is the death of teamwork. Even worse, when it’s revealed a victim and the gossiper turn out to be friends who once confided in each other, that friendship that could have been nurtured and cultivated for years is suddenly destroyed. How sad is that.

Breaking the gossip cycle: Let’s say you are not a gossiper. You simply listen to your peers so as not be rude. But here’s the thing that most people don’t realize—as a listener, you are a co-narrator to the gossip. In other words, the act of active listening supports and promotes gossiping. The more you listen, the more you encourage it. If you don’t listen, the gossip has nowhere to go.

Here’s how to get out of the gossip pipeline: 1. Don’t participate. Walk away. Don’t give visual clues that you are interested in listening. If someone passes a juicy story on to you, don’t pass it any further. Take personal responsibility to act with integrity. 2. Turn it around by saying something positive. It isn’t nearly as much fun trying to spread negative news if it’s spoiled by a complimentary phrase about the person being attacked. 3. Avoid the gossiper. If you notice one person who consistently stirs the rumour pot, take the necessary actions to have as little interaction with that person as possible.

Submitted by – Mark Barrett

OAIA News & Views 8

VOILA!

O.A.I.A.

MASTER SPOKEN FRENCH, AT YOUR OWN PACE

ANNOUNCING LEVEL TWO OF A TWO YEAR PROGRAM

COMPRISED OF FOUR LEVELS

No quizzes, exams or grades

Enjoy a fun environment while developing a worthwhile skill

Our goal is to develop self-confidence in spoken French

Feel young and adventurous!

MERCI, FOR YOUR TIME. CONVENOR- SAM MORCOS

French Level 2 consists of sixteen classes, two hours in duration

The total fee is $ 88.00, ($ 5.50 per class). A real bargain

The first class takes place Thursday, January 31, 2019 10 am- 12:30

Class size is limited to 12

FUN FRENCH CLASSES

OAIA News & Views 9

THURSDAY AFTERNOON CRAFT GROUP

The Craft Group meets on Thursday afternoon

from 1:00 until 3:30 in the Craft Room. Drop in

any Thursday to see if the group is for you or just to see what we have for sale.

The Craft Room is equipped with sewing machines, material, wool and patterns.

A big thank you to anyone who has donated supplies but we are going to ask for

NO DONATIONS for a little while so we can use up some of what we have.

Thank you Sheila Richardson, sister of one of our members, for her donation of 43

preemie baby hats that through us were donated to the hospital.

Our projects are always available in the cabinet in the front lobby and can be

purchased through the front desk volunteers.

... Beverley Budarick Convenor

FEBRUARY 2019

Wed 6th

7 pm Wed 13

th 7 pm

Wed 20

th 7 pm

Fri 22

nd 1 pm

Wed 27

th 7 pm

… Joan Thomas

Convenor

GROUP

OAIA News & Views 10

THE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON KNITTING CLUB

The Ladies of the Wednesday Afternoon Knitting Club would like to welcome everyone back after the Christmas break.

We have welcomed three new members to the group: Connie, Joan and Debra. We hope you enjoy our group.

Since the New Year we have received three donations of yarn for us to put to good use. We like to thank Sharon, Debbie and an anonymous donor for their contribution.

If you come across any yarn or supplies you don't think you will use please parcel them up for us. It would be nice if you have the time to bring them personally to us on Wednesday afternoon between 1:00 and 3:30. That will give us an opportunity to meet you. If you can't drop in, then just label the parcel with my name and "Wed. Afternoon Knitting Club" so that we can acknowledge you in the News and Views.

Please check out the cabinet in the lobby for our items for sale. The articles change periodically so keep an eye.

Try to keep warm since it is winter. We could just use a little bit more sun.

… Joyce Bulgin

Convenor

BID EUCHRE

MONDAY EVENINGS 6:30 – 10:00 pm (CRAFT ROOM)

(12 MONTHS OF THE YEAR WITH EXCEPTION HOLIDAY MONDAYS)

COST : $2.00 (COVERS PRIZE MONEY AND $.50 FACILITY FEE)

PRIZE MONEY : FIRST $8.00, SECOND $6.00, THIRD $5.00,

FOURTH $4.00 (DEPENDS ON ATTENDANCE)

If you have never played before, the following is a brief description:

YOU PLAY IN TEAMS, LIKE REGULAR EUCHRE, ARE DEALT 8 CARDS AND YOU BID ON HOW

MANY TRICKS YOU THINK YOU AND YOUR PARTNER CAN TAKE. IT IS EASY AND A LITTLE

MORE CHALLENGING THAN REGULAR EUCHRE. WE USE 2 DECKS OF CARDS (FACE

CARDS ONLY). IF INTERESTED IN LEARNING, PLEASE COME OUT AND JUST WATCH FOR A

NIGHT OR TWO AND THEN JOIN IN.

MUST BE A MEMBER AND PLEASE WEAR YOUR NAME TAG.

...KEN AND BEVERLEY BUDARICK

CONVENORS


CLEVER SIGNS...Many encores...Love the last one.

ON A MATERNITY ROOM DOOR:

“Push, Push, Push.”

AT A CAR DEALERSHIP:

“The best way to get back on your feet -

miss a car payment.”

OUTSIDE A MUFFLER SHOP:

“No appointment necessary. We hear you coming.”

IN A VETERINARIAN’S WAITING ROOM:

“Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!”

AT THE ELECTRIC COMPANY:

“We would be delighted if you send in your payment

on time. However, if you don’t, YOU will be

de-lighted.”

IN A RESTAURANT WINDOW:

“Don’t stand there and be hungry; come on in and

get fed up.”

IN THE FRONT YARD OF A FUNERAL HOME:

Drive carefully. We’ll wait.”

AT A PROPANE FILLING STATION:

“Thank Heaven for little grills.”

IN A CHICAGO RADIATOR SHOP:

“Best place in town to take a leak.”

AND THE BEST ONE FOR LAST….

Sign on the back of another Septic Tank Truck:

“Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises”

A SIGN IN A SHOE REPAIR STORE IN VANCOUVER:

We will heel you

We will save your sole

We will even dye for you.

A SIGN ON A BLINDS AND CURTAIN TRUCK:

“Blind man driving.”

SIGN OVER A GYNECOLOGIST’S OFFICE:

“Dr. Jones, at your cervix.”

IN A PODIATRIST’S OFFICE:

“Time wounds all heels.”

ON A SEPTIC TANK TRUCK:

“Yesterday’s Meals on Wheels“

AT AN OPTOMETRIST’S OFFICE:

“If you don’t see what you’re looking for,

you’ve come to the right place.”

ON A PLUMBER’S TRUCK:

“We repair what your husband fixed.”

ON ANOTHER PLUMBER’S TRUCK:

“Don’t sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.”

AT A TIRE SHOP IN MIKWAUKEE:

“Invite us to your next blowout.”

ON AN ELECTRICIAN’S TRUCK:

“Let us remove your shorts.”

IN A NON-SMOKING AREA:

“If we see smoke, we will assume you are on

fire and will take appropriate action.”

Submitted by Marylin Kong

Be back in 5 minutes. Sit!


CURRENT EVENTS PLUS GROUP

February 2019

Group Gathers Every Wednesday in the East Activity Room

1:00 to 3:00 pm

Come and join our “Group”. The program consists of the group getting to know each other through sharing humour, discussing current local and world events, and other subjects of interest. Pictures and videos related to the subject of the day will be viewed on a large movie screen.

Subjects for future gatherings will also be discussed along with

sourcing and who will present them.

February’s planned subjects for presentation and discussion are:

6 Feb. - Glacier National Park, Montana

13 Feb. - Canadian Energy Use

20 Feb. - First Civilizations---War

27 Feb. - The Asteroid that killed the Dinosaurs

Do come and enjoy each others’ company and bring a friend or two along with you.

On entering, please sign in and deposit your $1.00 in the basket.

… Robin Bryan Convenor


CANADIAN TIRE – STOUFFVILLE

DIXON GARLAND FUNERAL HOME, MARKHAM

GOOD YEAR TIRE - MARKHAM

TO THE GENEROUS LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE MARKHAM SENIOR’S CENTRE

WITH THEIR DONATIONS OF GIFTS FOR OUR FALL BAZAAR EVENT ON DECEMBER 1, 2018

O.A.I.A.

GUARDIAN DRUGS – MARKHAM

MURIEL THOMPSON – O.A.I.A. MEMBER


Our 2018 fall snooker league regular schedule and playoffs have now been completed and the

competition was very keen indeed. There were nine teams competing in the league with the teams

captained by Jim Turner, Don Eastman, Frank Dittmann and Joel Cornfield securing the top four

finishing positions at the end of regular play. It was very close with only 13 points difference between

first and fourth place, 115 to 102.

At the end of regular play, eight teams moved on to the playoffs, providing us with competitive

contests that came down to decisive shots during the quarter finals, the semi finals and ultimately

the championship series.

The season ending luncheon and championship day was held on Thursday, November 29th. The

luncheon consisted of sandwiches plus vegetable and dessert trays. Many thanks to the ladies for

their help in setting up the room, to all the Captains and the referees and a special thanks to our

piano men, Brian Webb and Les MisCampbell.

The Dittmann and Franklin teams then took to the tables for the championship games. At the end of

the day the Dittmann team consisting of Frank Dittmann, Phil Petrou, John McNaughton and Grant

Armstrong emerged victorious winning four games to two over the Franklin team consisting of Gerry

Franklin, Jim Boland, Jack Fairney and Joanne Price.

The NELL DUNN championship plaque was then presented to the winning team. This plaque was

created in appreciation of Nell’s many years of service to our snooker league.

CONGRATULATIONS TO FRANK DITTMANN AND HIS TEAM.

2018 FALL SNOOKER TOURNAMENT REPORT

… Shirley Eison

Convenor

SNOOKER

CHAMPIONS

Frank Dittmann

and

Team


Bronze Medal Winners

BETTY and VICTOR REID

Silver Medal Winners

ROLANDE JONES and LLOYD BALSTON

Gold Medal Winners

AUDREY HILLIS and BEVERLEY BUDARICK

Winners of York Region 55+ Senior Games

November 2018 in Bid Euchre

1st

2nd

3rd


From Our Mah-Jong Tables FEBRUARY 2019

MAH-JONG ACTIVITY

Make sure you wear your Name Badges

We Play All Year Round on These Days

Monday Mah-Jong

In the Craft Room from 1:30 to 4:30 PM

Beginners are taught the Asian Method on Mondays Only

The Asian Method must be learned before attempting to learn the National.

Tuesday Mah-Jong

In the Craft Room from 1:00 to 4:30 PM

Only beginners of the National Method are taught on Tuesdays

The Activity Fee is 50 cents to play

You must sign in the Activity Book upon arrival in the Craft Room

Tea/Coffee is 50 cents and must be purchased in the Social (Library) Room

There are only 15 Tables of 4 players allowed in the Craft Room, a total of 60 people

maximum because of the Fire Code.

People who come late may not find a table to play at.

Virginia Guevara: 416-301-4626 --- Muriel Thompson: 905-940-1571

Convenors of Mah-Jong - (We accept inquiries)

P.S. There is no Mah-Jong played on Holiday Mondays or OAIA Closures

CHESS

East Activity Room

Tuesdays 10:00 A.M. – Noon

Players at all levels welcome!

Come play and put your mind to work!


WE ARE MORE

We are more than what you see Because we’re still the way we used to be

You might think we are old - that’s overused

Just like to say, we are ALL not amused

We are still dancers, not so great Because of the gifts we were handed by Fate

We are ok

We don’t hide, we have emotions inside If we are not who we were, who are we?

Submitted by Pat Devlin


The Chinese invented playing cards in AD 1000.

Some interesting facts and observations about "Playing cards":

Did you know that the Traditional Deck of the Playing Cards are a strikingly coherent form of a Calendar?

There are 52 weeks in the year and there are 52 Playing Cards in a Deck.

There are 13 weeks in each Season and there are 13 cards in each suit.

There are 4 Seasons in a Year and 4 Suits in the Deck.

There are 12 Months in a Year so there are 12 Court Cards (Those with faces

namely Jack, Queen, King in each suit)

The Red Cards represent Day, while Black Cards represent the Night.

If you let Jacks = 11, Queens = 12, and the Kings = 13, then add up all the sums of

1 + 2 + 3 + ...to 13 = 91. Multiply this by 4, for the 4 Suits, therefore 91 x 4 = 364,

Add 1 that is the Joker and you will arrive at the number 365 being the Days in a

Year?

Is that a mere coincidence or a greater intelligence?

Of interest is the sum of the letters in all the names of the cards,

e.g., add up the letters in "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven,

eight, nine, ten, Jack, Queen, King" = 52!

The Spades indicate ploughing or working.

The Hearts indicates Love thy crops.

The Clubs indicates flourishing and growth.

The Diamonds indicate reaping the wealth.

Also, in some card games 2 Jokers are used; Indicating the Leap year.

There is a deeper Philosophy than just merely Playing Cards.

The Mathematical perfection is mind blowing.

Submitted by Audrey Hillis


consultation to see how we can help.


The day that Albert Einstein feared…

Here it is….a new brave world!


WISDOM OF PHYLLIS DILLER

1. As your beauty fades, so will his eyesight.

2. Housework can’t kill you, but why take a chance?

3. Cleaning your house while kids are still growing up is like shovelling the sidewalk before it

stops snowing.

4. The reason women don’t play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same

outfit in public.

5. Best way to get rid of kitchen odours: Eat out.

6. A bachelor is a guy who never made the same mistake once.

7. I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. Then I want to move in with them.

8. Most children threaten at times to run away from home. This is the only thing that keeps

some parents going.

9. Any time three New Yorkers get into a cab without an argument, a bank has just been robbed.

10. We spend the first twelve months of our children’s lives teaching them to walk and talk and

the next twelve years telling them to sit down and shut up.

11. Burt Reynolds once asked me out. I was in his room.

12. What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a new job the next day.

13. The only time I ever enjoyed ironing was the day I accidentally put gin in the steam iron.

14. His finest hour lasted a minute and a half.

15. Old age is when the liver spots show through your gloves.

16. My photographs don’t do me justice- they look just like me.

17. Tranquilizers work only if you follow the advice on the bottle- keep away from children.

18. I asked the waiter, “Is this milk fresh?” He said, “Lady, three hours ago it was grass”.

19. The reason the golf pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can’t see him laughing.

20. You know you’re old if they have discontinued your blood type.

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