Grey Bruce Boomers Fall 2021

A FREE magazine for adults 50+
FALL 2021 — Volume 8, Issue 3
FINANCE
Retirement
planning
How to know when
the time is right
HISTORY
ANSWERING
BUCKET LIST
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
Rotarians travel the world helping others
THE CALL
Grey County’s finest
served in ‘Great War’
FREE!

NATURE IS NURTURE.
The natural environment is an integral part of
rey Bruce, with naturally beauful sengs,
naonal and provincial parks and thousands of
kilometres of coastline.
Consider a donaon to the Next25 Fund to support
a healthy and resilient community that enjoys the
great outdoors. The future is green.
The Next25 Fund will help ensure the vitality of all communies in Grey and Bruce for
another uarter century by generang grants to charies and nonprofits with projects that
address priories that are idenfied by the Vital Signs® report. The Next25 Fund will give the
Foundaon the latude to grant strategically based on local knowledge for local impact.
We can do great things together.
2
COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION
GREY BRUCE
We’re here for good.
P.O. Box 81, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5P1
Call: 519.371.7203
Email: foundaon@cfgb.ca
.communyounongreybruce.com

FROM THE PUBLISHER
CONTENTS
Who would have predicted that I would be penning yet another pandemic
Publisher’s Note, 18 months after the world first shut down “for two weeks.” The
year-and-a-half since has been challenging on so many fronts for many people –
everyone has been affected in some way.
A quote I heard that resonated with me is, “We are not all in the same boat, but
we are all in the same storm.” I hope that your boat is keeping afloat and this
storm will soon be over!
A bright light is that we are back in print! We transitioned to only publishing online
last year and, while I was hopeful it would be just for an issue or two, we published
five issues exclusively online. Thank you to our loyal readers and advertisers who
kept us going – it was our honour to continue to provide our demographic with
relevant, meaningful and local content during such trying times. Be sure to check
out all our past issues online at www.greybruceboomers.com.
Online dating • 4
First World War veterans • 8
Future of health care • 14
Bucket List • 18
Retirement planning • 24
Game Changer • 28
Recipe • 30
In this issue we are proud to feature a look back at stories of Grey County’s First
World War veterans, courtesy of Grey Roots Museum & Archives. Online dating
is a great option for those 50+, and April Taylor tells us about her experiences.
Read about Saugeen Shores residents Tony and Sylvia Sheard who do amazing
things with the Rotary Club locally and internationally. Finally, prepare yourself
financially with Michele Mannerow’s article about planning for retirement, and
learn more about the future of health care with Kylie Pike’s story that explains
why now isn’t the time to reduce services
Thank you for your continued support of Grey-
Bruce Boomers magazine, and may you and your
family stay healthy and safe this fall!
Amy Irwin, Publisher
Grey-Bruce Boomers
FALL 2021
Publisher
Amy Irwin
amy@greybruceboomers.com
Advertising Sales Manager
Linda Thorn
linda@greybruceboomers.com
Magazine Design
Becky Grebenjak
Grey-Bruce Boomers welcomes
your feedback.
EMAIL
amy@greybruceboomers.com
PHONE 519-524-0101
MAIL
P.O. Box 287, Ripley, ON N0G 2R0
Grey-Bruce Boomers is distributed for free in Grey and Bruce
counties, and is published each March, June, September, and
December. Distribution of this publication does not constitute
endorsement of information, products or services by Grey-Bruce
Boomers, its writers or advertisers. Viewpoints of contributors and
advertisers are not necessarily those of the Publisher. Grey-Bruce
Boomers reserves the right to edit, reject or comment on all material
and advertising contributed. No portion of Grey-Bruce Boomers may
be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher.

LIFESTYLE

Online dating…
at my age?
FINDING A COMPANION ONLINE IS FOR EVERYONE!
BY APRIL TAYLOR
More than ever, Boomers are turning to online dating sites to meet people.
People often find themselves alone later in life because of divorce, the death of a spouse,
or, like me, had never married until recently.
I talk to people every day in the hair salon where I work. I hear them say they are lonely
and would like to meet someone to share their time with, especially with retirement on
the horizon. I met my husband Edward on the website ‘Plenty of Fish’ years ago. Online
dating was new to me, and I was skeptical, but lots of my clients were doing it. At that
time, I was not particularly computer savvy and the whole process was intimidating.
I had heard all the horror stories about the Internet being full of crazy losers, when it
dawned on me… my clients who were using dating sites are nice, respectable people
and if they are online then surely there must be other nice people online!
So I took the plunge. A friend of mine helped me set up a profile and I found it simple
to navigate once I got going. My first attempt was not successful. I was messaged by
people from different cities, there were messages to reply to, phone calls to take, and
coffee dates to be had. Truthfully, I found the whole thing overwhelming and timeconsuming,
so I deleted my profile and sat back for a while until I developed a strategy.
I wrote down a plan as I would do for my business, and then my foray into online dating
became a much better experience.

LIFESTYLE
by April Taylor
Before you begin
If you are recently divorced or widowed, it may be wise
to grieve your loss and sort out your life somewhat before
you tackle dating. You’ll know when you’re ready.
First, make a detailed list of your strengths and what you
have to offer. Write out clearly what you want your life to
look like, whether you want to travel the world or have
a quiet life with time to spend with the grandkids. Be
specific. Write a list of your interests and hobbies, and
any personality traits that you find attractive in a person.
Ask yourself if there are any traits that are non-negotiable
for you. Again be specific.
Another thing to consider is how far you are willing to
drive. This is important if you are looking for something
long term. Do you want someone local or close to town or
are you OK if your match is in another country?
Writing your profile
With the information you gathered, begin to fill out your
profile on the site of your choice. Note that some sites
are directed to over-50s, while other sites are for all ages.
Some sites charge a fee while others are free.
When writing your profile, be positive and upbeat.
Present yourself authentically. Don’t lie about who you
are, your age, weight, financial status. In fact, I would
not even mention money. Present yourself in a positive,
honest light. If you are looking for a serious long-term
relationship, begin with being honest. For example, I
don’t enjoy sports. If I had said I liked sports because I
think men do, I may have attracted someone but I might
have had to watch Sunday afternoon football until the
end of my days. Or I would have had to admit I don’t
actually like sports, and he could have felt deceived.
Also, say a little about what you are looking for in a mate.
Be realistic. By the time we have reached this point in life,
we all have some baggage, we have made mistakes, we
have had wonderful moments and we’ve maybe had our
heart broken. This is the beauty of life. Again, be honest.
For example, if you’re looking for an outgoing guy who
loves to go to parties and events or looking for a lady
who is content with a quiet life and enjoys life’s simple
pleasures, it’s a good idea to mention any deal breakers
here. If you can’t tolerate something such as smoking,
having children, drinking, etc., it’s better to make that
known right from the start.
Keep an open mind
This is important. Before you say someone isn’t your type,
give them an honest chance. She might look different
from your previous partners, or he may have lived a
different lifestyle than you. Remember, we are more than
our outside appearance. That person who you think is
not your type might turn out to be fun and interesting.
The goal is to find someone and make each other happy.
How it works
Create your profile on the site you choose. Be sure to add
current pictures. Don’t be tempted to post pics from 10
years ago when you were going to the gym every day. Post
several photos and don’t forget to smile.
Answer the questions such as are you looking for male
or female, what age and location? Peruse the profiles of
different people who pop up in your category. It’s like a
big catalog of men and women.
Then, when you see a profile you like, send a message
telling them you read their profile and you like what you
read. Maybe add that you too love dinner parties and
like to travel, if they highlighted that in their profile.
Surprisingly some people don’t read the profile and look
solely at the picture. Read the profile! Also, I found it
frustrating when someone would send a message saying
merely hello. Show the person that you are interested
enough to read their profile and form a proper message.
Respond to the messages you receive and be polite.
Engage in the conversation. Say something about
yourself but don’t forget to ask about them — there’s no
bigger turn-off than a self-centered person.
Once you’ve chatted online, maybe it’s time to exchange
phone numbers. I think an actual telephone call is needed
rather than texting because it’s always good to hear
someone’s voice and how they speak. It gives you a better
6 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

y April Taylor
LIFESTYLE
idea of what the person is like.
If all goes well, it becomes time to meet. You’ve both
agreed that you are interested enough to meet, so I suggest
going for a walk or on a coffee date. Make it short for the
first date in case it becomes clear quickly that you’re not a
match. Go somewhere quiet where it’s easy to talk. Be sure
to have their contact information with you so if there is a
mix-up you can call them.
Remember to be smart and meet somewhere safe. Also
be careful about how much personal information you
share, because there’s always time for that if things get
more serious. Trust your intuition if something doesn’t
feel right and excuse yourself from the situation.
Don’t stand the person up. If you change your mind, be
polite and message the person and tell them. Be honest
and don’t keep them hanging on. Treat people as you
would like to be treated. We are all way past mind games.
If you like the person but there were no sparks, they
simply may not be the one, but they could become a
good friend. Keep that option open because they may
feel the same. Be open to talking about it. It is nice to
have a friend to do things with. My husband is still
friends 13 years later with two women he met online,
and they are now my friends too.
I highly recommend online dating. I would not have met
Edward had I not given it a try. Be smart, be safe, be
yourself, and enjoy the process! And don’t be offended if
someone doesn’t respond, that’s just how it works.
Give it a whirl!
April Taylor is a freelance writer and hairstylist who loves to travel.
Welcome to our
neighbourhood!
As the leading local
telecommunications
provider for over
110 years, we
have it all...
for YOU.
519-368-2000
brucetelecom.com
TV • Internet
Home Phone
Cellular
FALL 2021 • 7

HISTORY
Surviving the
unthinkable
ABOUT 2,500 GREY COUNTY RESIDENTS FOUGHT IN THE GREAT WAR
BY STEPHANIE McMULLEN
It has been more than 100 years since the guns fell
silent, with the Treaty of Versailles marking the end of
the First World War.
Thousands of young Canadian men and women enlisted
for overseas military service in the Canadian Expeditionary
Force, determined to “do their bit” for their country and
have a grand adventure at the same time. The 31st Grey
Regiment, and later the 147th and 248th (Grey) Battalions,
accepted hundreds to engage in the fight. Nothing could
have prepared them for the nightmare that awaited them
on the battlefields of Europe.
Most of these soldiers were not fighters; they were nickel
platers, students, bookkeepers, and chicken pickers. In
short order, they became sappers, gunners, snipers, and
army nurses, and fought to retain their individuality as
professional soldiers. The struggle to hold on to their ties
back home, to view themselves as something more than
cannon fodder, constantly occupied their thoughts and
energy during pauses between shell blasts.
Grey County’s citizen-soldiers visited tourist spots while
on leave, picking up postcards for themselves and buying
souvenirs to send home. They listened to and sang their
favourite songs. They wrote letters, kept diaries, and
made art from shells. They collected helmets, guns, and
insignia from fallen enemies. These mementos highlight
their struggles to reconcile who they were before the war
with the horrors they were experiencing, and who they
would be once peace returned.
It has been said that war is 90 per cent boredom and
10 per cent terror. Canada’s citizen-soldiers faced the
difficult challenge of managing their boredom while
trying to forget their terrors, finding distraction in any
form they could. Soldiers searched for ways to reassure
themselves that they were still the good men who set sail
from Halifax. Letters and parcels to and from home were
a lifeline. Despite often having little to say, soldiers could
while away hours composing letters, and hours more
re-reading letters received. For many, it was simply the
connection to home that was important, not the content
of the message.
Music was essential to maintaining calm. The power of
song helped comfort fears, overcome exhaustion, and
forge friendships. Troops marched to popular songs of the
day, and sometimes brought gramophones into dugouts
at the frontlines, altering the lyrics to suit their stressful
circumstances. One of the most popular songs in the
Canadian army, sung to the tune of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ was
‘We’re Here Because We’re Here Because We’re Here.’
Along with writing and music, soldiers sought release
from the stresses of trench life through art. Many were
good with a knife and used the materials around them to
make carvings of everyday items.
The most common material came from brass bullet
nosecaps, which they found scattered in vast quantities all
around them. Regulations required that these nosecaps
be recycled, as materials were scarce, so using them for
art was an act of defiance as well as a means of personal
expression.
Soldiers picked up mementos of their life-changing
8 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

y Stephanie McMullen
HEALTH & WELLNESS HISTORY
experience and often sent them home to loved ones in
Canada. Whether ‘sweetheart souvenirs’ for wives and
girlfriends, tourist keepsakes, or battlefield relics, these
mementos were a physical tie to the sights and realities of
soldiers’ new lives in Europe.
France and Belgium quickly discovered an insatiable
market with ‘souveniring’ as Canadians earned a
reputation as keepsake hunters. These pursuits emptied
soldiers’ pocketbooks and sometimes even caused them to
enter dangerous territory. Often, groups of friends would
go exploring for souvenirs in towns and villages, and even
on the frontline. German soldiers would try to play off
this desire by calling out ‘souvenir’ when captured and
offering up personal items for the taking.
While these were ordinary people, they were called
upon to do extraordinary things. Grey County men and
women proved their bravery every day, and sometimes
were officially recognized for it. While heroic acts might
be rewarded with medals and promotions, life at the
frontline was too often nasty, short and brutish. For every
Victoria Cross recipient, like young Tommy Holmes of
Owen Sound, there were many more young men like
Herbert Bryan Watson, from Walter’s Falls, who never
returned home and left families to mourn them forever.
The First World War ushered in a new era of modern
warfare. Thousands of young Canadians enlisted,
dreaming of the “glorious battles” of the British Empire
of their fathers’ and grandfathers’ generations. Instead,
they found gas, flames, tanks and anonymous death in
the mud of northwestern Europe. Nothing in their young
lives prepared them for the horror that awaited them,
and amidst the madness of the battlefield, these men and
women clung tenaciously to their humanity in whatever
ways they could. The soldiers of the First World War
were not professionals, but instead regular people who
answered their country’s call. Their experiences changed
them, and they changed the world. Here are some of
their stories.
FALL 2021 • 9

HISTORY
by Stephanie McMullen
Laura Adams
Laura (April 17, 1884-May 2, 1941) was stationed at No.
7 Canadian General Hospital near Étaples, France, when
it was bombed by German aircraft in May 1918. Three
nursing sisters in her hospital were killed in the attack, as
were patients and other medical personnel. The hospital
was seriously damaged. Laura
remained on duty for several days
after the initial attack to care for
patients, even as the area continued
to be subjected to air raids.
The trauma of the attack, combined
with over a year’s field service in
frontline medical care, resulted in
what we now call Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder. She was given
two months of convalescence in
England to recover then returned
to active duty. She returned to
Canada in April 1919, remaining
active for another six months in the
Canadian Army Medical Corps at
Brant House, a military hospital in
Burlington.
Laura’s health declined in the years
after the war, and in 1941, Laura
passed away at Christie Street Veterans’ Hospital, which
treated veterans with significant, life-altering wounds. She
is buried in the veterans’ section of Prospect Cemetery in
Toronto.
Laura Adams
Laura never married but stayed close with her siblings.
Her bunkmate in France, May Devitt, of Markdale,
remained a close friend throughout her life.
Edward Miller Kennedy
Edward (Sept. 12, 1892-April 10, 1916) enlisted within
the first four months of the outbreak
of war. A member of a prominent
Owen Sound industrial family,
Edward’s brother Paul followed him
into service in 1915. After training
in Canada and England, Edward
joined his unit in the field in France
in December 1915. His unit was part
of the 2nd Canadian Division, and in
early-April 1916, they faced their first
major engagement at the Battle of St.
Eloi, just outside Yprés. Attempting to
undermine the German defenses, the
British had dug a network of tunnels
for explosives. The result instead left
the Canadians with a field of muddy,
water-filled craters, and few trenches
in which to take cover. During two
weeks of battle, the mud interfered
with communication and made
fighting difficult. This, combined with
an aggressive German counterattack,
left the Canadians with little accurate information as to the
progress of the battle.
By April 16, the Germans held most of the key points in
the sector and the Canadians retreated. Over the course
10 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

y Stephanie McMullen
HISTORY
of 13 days of fighting, the Canadians suffered 1,373
casualties. Edward was reported as killed in action by his
commanding Officer on April 10 in an attack north of
Courcelette. His body was never found amidst the mud
and water.
He is honoured at the Menin Gate Memorial, situated at
the eastern side of the town of Yprés (now Leper). It bears
the names of 55,000 men who were lost without trace
during the defence of the Yprés Salient. Over the two
staircases leading from the Main Hall is the inscription,
‘Here are recorded names of officers and men who fell
in Yprés Salient but to whom the fortune of war denied
the known and honoured burial given to their comrades
in death.’
John Argue Hemphill
John (Sept. 18, 1895-July 31, 1923) served in the Canadian
war effort under the Military Services Act. Once in
England, he was transferred to the 58th Battalion, and
saw action during the Canadian Corps’ Hundred Days
Offensive, which led to the end of the war.
A month before the armistice, John suffered shrapnel
wounds to his back, a serious injury for which he was
hospitalized for months afterward, and left with a
permanent disability. A blacksmith by trade, the wound
affected his livelihood after the war. He drowned in Wilcox
Lake, near Ceylon, as he went to help a young couple in
distress. The lake deepened suddenly, and unable to swim
due in part to his war injury, he went under.
He was well known and respected in his community,
and his funeral was one of the largest to that time in the
Ceylon area.
James Henry Hall
James (Jan. 17, 1895-?) was a member of one of the
We’re scientists,
engineers, safety
experts. And
PROUD CANADIANS.
At the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, we’re responsible for
Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel.
Canada’s plan involves safely containing and isolating used nuclear
fuel in an area with suitable geology and informed, willing hosts.
Every day, we are conscious of our duty to be accountable to
Canadians—to work and learn together, and to protect our safety,
our environment and this beautiful land.
Dig deeper, learn more
by visiting nwmo.ca
@NWMOCanada
FALL 2021 • 11

HISTORY
by Stephanie McMullen
James Henry Hall
John Argue Hemphill
Edward Miller Kennedy
Jess Sargeant
first settler families Grey County. He moved to northern
Ontario to work in the forests as a sawyer and labourer,
and enlisted in a local regiment there. He later transferred
to the 124th Battalion (Governor-General’s Body
Guard), a unit which trained as infantry but became a
pioneer battalion in Europe. Pioneer battalions worked
in conjunction with the Engineers. The work was varied
and consisted of consolidating positions captured by
the infantry, tunnelling, mining, wiring, railroad work,
deep dugout work and laying out, building and keeping
trenches in repair.
James endured a series of illnesses related to the conditions
in which he worked. After the war, he married Sarah
Earlls, his Owen Sound sweetheart. Twenty years later,
he enlisted alongside his three sons to serve in the Second
World War.
Jess Sargeant
Jess (Oct. 14, 1894-Feb. 7, 1939) worked as a gardener
for a fruit and vegetable producer near Owen Sound’s
Greenwood Cemetery before the war. A sensitive, caring
young man, Jess enlisted early in the war. He married his
sweetheart Nora Mothersell before heading overseas.
The war took a toll on him, as he saw action at Hill 70,
Passchendaele and Cambrai, amongst other battles. He
was wounded in the neck at Passchendaele, requiring
months of recovery due to a subsequent infection. He
received a gunshot wound to the palm of his left hand
in the final month of the war, which left him with a
permanent, though minor, disability.
Although his physical wounds healed and he returned
home to a loving family, the war had irrevocably changed
this thoughtful young man. He was plagued by debilitating
headaches and violent outbursts. He spent hours in
silence, staring blankly, unblinking, at nothing. He tried
homesteading in Saskatchewan in the early-1920s but
returned to Ontario.
The Menin Gate Memorial in
Yprés (now Leper), Belgium.
Although he and Nora had eight children, his health
continued to suffer, and he spent long periods at the
Westminster Hospital (for veterans) in London before

y Stephanie McMullen
HISTORY
passing away at 44 from acute pulmonary edema.
These are but five of the roughly 2,500 citizens of Grey
County who served in ‘The Great War.’ Each of these
brave men and women left friends and families behind
to serve. Each suffered hardships. Many never set foot in
Grey County again. Each has their own tale to tell.
Photos courtesy Grey Roots Museum & Archives.
Stephanie McMullen has enjoyed a varied career at the museum
since 1999. After earning an MA in history from the University of
Calgary, Stephanie worked at the Centre d’Interprétation de la Côte
de Beaupré, the Mackenzie King Estate and the Canadian Museum
of Civilization before arriving at the County of Grey-Owen Sound
Museum, now Grey Roots Museum & Archives.
Yes,
The Buffet
Is Open!
MON - SAT
11:00 - 8:00
Hey Friend!
Let’s go out to eat.
Enjoy home-style cooking from our buffet.
519.369.9982
pebblesrestaurant.ca
313010 Hwy 6,
Durham, ON
Escape
Your Routine
SCANDINAVIAN BATHS
REGISTERED MASSAGES
GETAWAY PACKAGES
Plan Your Visit. Reserve & Relax.
SCANDINAVE.COM | 877 988 8484
FALL 2021 • 13

HEALTH & WELLNESS
FUTURE
of health care
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO REDUCE SERVICES
BY KYLIE PIKE
Though this won’t be news to you, the current state of
the world is like no other time in history.
Exposure to information is immediate and plentiful.
Generations young and old are accessing copious amounts
of information on a daily basis. The so-called facts and
figures we are exposed to, through various entertainment
avenues and social facets, can be overwhelming.
Yet we still seem to be in dire need of clarity and concise
information that is applicable to each of our situations.
Our lives tend to be a moving target when striving to
capture wants and needs with changing self-abilities, due
to overall health and well-being. Attempting to manage
perceptions that really are realities to everyone and trying
to manage priorities that may change and vary between
those caring for an individual can create an extremely
challenging situation.
Confusion, anxiety, and a sense of being overwhelmed
when trying to help oneself, a loved one and/or being the
caregiver for several people, is very common. Sometimes
these negative emotions can seem to be the only guarantee
for those in need of and/or providing home care when
everything else tends to be changing.
First, there’s the need for reflection. For generations,
Canadians have known, or should have known, about
the importance of helping thy neighbour as well as thy
family. The sad state of our health care system, regarding
the overall support and one-on-one personal care
provided in Long-Term Care, has been widely exposed
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Society, through media
and information released by our provincial and federal
governments, seems to have turned a blind eye to the
tragedies occurring in the home care sector, and yet the
cries for help are plentiful.
Should it have taken a pandemic to force us to look
closely at the travesties suffered by those in need of
personal care? Anyone who has experienced the stress
14 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

y Kylie Pike
HEALTH & WELLNESS
of helping someone diagnosed with an illness or disease,
is recovering after an accident, surgery and/or medical
treatment, has mobility concerns, is aging, etc., knows the
fear and anxiety that often engulfs those needing the help,
as well as the caregivers.
The aging population is growing at exponential levels in
Ontario and will continue to increase over the coming
years. Therefore, health care demands for in-home and
community-based care will also rise at an exponential
rate. Access to qualified, experienced and empathetic
frontline support workers is – terrifyingly – at an alltime
low, despite the increasing demands. Particularly in
our rural areas, it’s reaching crisis levels. With the rising
cost of living, increasing gas prices and the shortage of
affordable living options, frontline support workers are
leaving the profession or the area completely.
There are additional challenges to encouraging young
people to choose this profession, and the educated tend
to work in cities. There is also a tragic burn-out rate, as
many in frontline health care have been forced to stop
working due to their own personal health and well-being.
So as the demands for home care continue to rise, the
access to the necessary supports is diminishing, creating a
magnitude of crisis.
Home care refers to health care services that are
provided for individuals within their homes. Services are
performed via in-home health agencies through regulated
and unregulated health care professionals including
nurses, social service workers, rehabilitation specialists
(such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists),
personal support workers (PSWs) and home support
workers. Services can include restorative care, with the
intention of providing clients with tools and support for
recovery, and range all the way to home care services
that provide palliative or end-of-life care. Home care is
ever-changing to accommodate for unique and complex
medical needs. This means duties and responsibilities are
being shared or are shifting in response to regulated and
unregulated health professionals being spread thin.
Powerful, Proven, Effective Solutions
for your Denture Problems
Are you having trouble
with your dentures?
3rd Generation
Denturist with over
30 Years Experience
www.feigedenture.ca
Hanover Clinic
550 10th Street
(519) 364-3223
Lower suction
dentures
Owen Sound Clinic
1383 16th Street East
(519) 370-0111
Digital Dentures
Gag Free
Impressions
with Intra
Oral Scanner
FALL 2021 • 15

HEALTH & WELLNESS
by Kylie Pike
Tasks that are usually carried out by regulated health
care professionals such as nurses and physiotherapists
are now the responsibility of PSWs. Yet the demand
for PSWs is at an all-time high, so many home support
workers are forced to perform PSWs’ duties. In addition,
the role of PSWs has expanded to include care activities
previously performed by other various registered health
care professionals. The field and careers of PSWs is not
currently regulated and yet the need and demand for this
profession to become regulated is evident.
The role of a PSW
PSWs are considered unregulated health care providers
who perform personal and supportive care for a wide
variety of clients under the supervision of their regulated
employers. As an unregulated position, PSWs have no
clear-cut scope of practice, so duties will vary amongst
home care placements.
Examples of typical duties and responsibilities for
PSWs may include:
• Assisting with activities of daily living (dressing,
hygiene, showering, toileting).
• Mobility assistance (help with transfers and walking
assistance to help ensure safety and reduce the risk
of falls).
• Basic wound and skin integrity care.
• Light housekeeping.
• Psychosocial care (i.e. respite, companionship).
• Basic medication assistance, prosthetic and brace care.
New PSW responsibilities include:
• Range-of-motion and home exercise programs.
• Bowel and bladder care (ostomy and catheterization).
• Tube feeding.
• Oxygen administration.
• Application of topical medical creams.
• Assistance with inhalers and drops.
• Skilled wound care.
• Donning/doffing compression stockings.
• More in-depth prosthetic and brace application.
PSWs are expected to complete the duties for which
they’ve been trained during their certification courses.
In order for PSWs to legally and ethically take on
additional tasks, which are usually assigned to regulated
health professionals, there needs to be a specific form of
delegation of these services. Delegated services are to be
highly routine, repetitive activities that can be completed
with training and appropriate supervision.
However, it is becoming more commonplace for PSWs in
certain home care placements to take on non-traditional
client care activities. This is typical of those working
with individuals who have extremely complicated plans
of care and medical histories. Although it may be costeffective
and save time to push these additional activities
onto the PSWs, there needs to be a consideration for
intervention effectiveness and safety of the patients, as
well as the PSW.
The roles of home care workers encompass individuals
who typically have years of experience as a health care
aide or nurses’ aide (both professional titles that do not
currently exist, however they did a few decades ago) or
experience as a primary caregiver for a loved one (child
with complex medical needs and/or a spouse, friend,
neighbour, aging parent, etc.).
Attempting to navigate the health care system can be
overwhelming. Trying to advocate for yourself or a loved
one, when there are numerous agencies and individuals to
communicate with, is daunting. Having so many questions
and concerns that tend to multiply the more we learn can
be emotionally draining and completely encompassing.
It can be terrifying emotionally, and physically draining,
and completely encompassing. There needs to be a better
way, no matter how complex.
This does not overshadow the need for celebration. By
almost any standard, there is no better place to live than
Canada. Few countries make outstanding health care
available to all. Even fewer seek to accommodate so much
diversity, whether it be language, ethnicity, faith, creed
and sexuality. It is why millions stand in line for the chance
to become Canadian. They choose Canada because we
are open, tolerant, curious, and humble. Is there room
for improvement in the home care sector – absolutely. As
Canadians, I hope we humbly appreciate all that we have
and yet work together to provide solutions and rally to
help those in need and those that tend to not be able to
advocate for themselves.
16 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

y Kylie Pike
HEALTH & WELLNESS
How to get home support
The place in life where someone needs home care support
can vary significantly, so whenever possible, speak to your
family physician or call Home and Community Care
Support Services (HCCSS), which was previously known
as the Local Health and Integration Network (LHIN) and
the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC).
If you feel that you or your family member needs health
care support at home, school or in the community,
HCCSS can open the door to a world of options and
opportunities.
Anyone can make a referral on your behalf – a family
doctor, friend, family member, even you. The first step is
to call 310-2222, which will automatically direct you to
your local home and community care office (no area code
required) – or you can call the number for an office close
to you by visiting healthcareathome.ca/southwest/en/
Contact-Us or calling 1-800-811-5146. Let them know
you are making a referral for services.
Their helpful staff may ask some questions to better
understand your needs. Then, you will either be connected
with a Care Coordinator, or they will refer you to the
program or service that may be right for your needs.
Resources
southwesthealthline.ca
ontario.ca/page/homecare-seniors
healthcareathome.ca/southwest/en
cno.org
ontariopswassociation.com
Do you know a
friend or loved one
facing a health crisis?
• Spread the task of caregiving among many people
so that no one person is alone, overwhelmed or
compromised
• Family, friends, relatives, neighbours, co-workers
pool their talents to help
• Makes caregiving a meaningful, loving experience
replacing stress, fear and loneliness with teamwork,
courage and friendship
Kylie Pike owns Rural Home Care and lives in Ripley with her
family. She has worked in both the frontline and administrative
avenues of home health care for over 20 years. Learn more at www.
ruralhomecare.ca.
For information on this caregiving model contact:
Share the Care Promoter located at the
Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce
519-376-7230 or 1-800-265-9013
HARD TO INSURE?
THERE MAY BE AN EASY SOLUTION
Canada Protection Plan’s No Medical Life Insurance
Payments start in the second month!
No Medical Exams | No Needles Final expense plans
Up to $500,000 in coverage Quick & Easy to Apply | Ages 18 – 80
For the financial security your loved ones deserve. Call today for a free no-obligation quote.
* Applicable on monthly payment plans only.
Jim Barnard
519-378-6779
barnardfinancial@outlook.com
www.barnardfinancial.ca
CANADA PROTECTION PLAN and the logo are trademarks of Canada Protection Plan Inc. Used under licence.
Underwritten by Foresters Life Insurance Company. ADMAT-HardToInsure-10x5-1018EN-A
www.cpp.ca
FALL 2021 • 17

THE BUCKET LIST
SERVICE
Above Self
TONY AND SYLVIA SHEARD GIVE THEIR ALL FOR ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
BY DOUG ARCHER
18 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

y Doug Archer
THE BUCKET LIST
In January 2018, Saugeen Shores residents Tony
and Sylvia Sheard were in a small village in India,
surrounded by crowds of children and their parents.
Seated outdoors at a small wooden table, the two were
there to save lives.
Even before the sun had risen, the families had begun
to arrive. They came on bicycles and old motorbikes.
Some arrived by ox cart. All were desperate to ensure
their infants and toddlers received protection from a
debilitating disease.
One by one the children were brought forward so that
Tony, Sylvia and other volunteers could administer two
drops of the polio vaccine. It was all part of Rotary
International’s humanitarian effort to eradicate polio
across the globe.
“Rotary works toward a world where people unite and take
action to create lasting change across our communities
and across the globe,” Tony explained. “And I always
knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
So when he finished his career as a senior manager in
the power generation sector, he volunteered with the
Southampton Rotary Club, turning his time, talents, and
energy to serving his town and the world at large.
Tony got involved in scores of projects, from building
community playgrounds and splash pads to funding
student scholarships and literacy programs. Through
Rotary, he distributed produce and dry goods at local
food banks, participated in road clean-ups, raised money
for women’s shelters and area hospitals… the list goes on.
It didn’t stop there. Tony and Sylvia also decided to get
involved in the Rotary Youth Exchange.
The largest student exchange program in the world, Youth
Exchange promotes the advancement of international
understanding and goodwill by giving high school
BILL
WALKER
MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
bill.walkerco@pc.ola.org
www.billwalkermpp.com
1-800-461-2664
519-371-2421
Bruce Peninsula Get aways this Fall & Winter
Cooking &
Cheesemaking
classes
ON LAKE HURON
• Water view cottage with beautiful sunsets
• Cedar sauna • Whirlpool tub
IN CHARMING WIARTON
• Spacious, private B&B suite
• 4 poster, comfy Queen bed
• Delicious breakfast
• Soaker tub & gas fireplace
In Wiarton Ontario | greenheartstudio@mac.com | www.greenheartgardens.ca |
‘Green Heart Gardens on George’
FALL 2021 • 19

THE BUCKET LIST
by Doug Archer
students aged 16 to 18 the opportunity to live and go to
school in countries around the world.
The couple hosted three students at different times, each
of them staying for about a year.
“Hailing from Taiwan, the Czech Republic, and
Indonesia, the exchanges were a chance for these young
ambassadors to gain exposure to our Canadian culture,
and to share their unique cultures with students at our
local high school,” Tony said. “But Sylvia and I gained
as much from the experience as the students. Spending
time with these wonderful young people and learning
about their families and countries and religions was an
eye-opening experience. We are both better and more
enriched because of it.”
They have stayed in touch with each of their exchange
students too.
“Our Indonesian student even invited us to her wedding,”
Tony said, “but because of COVID we had to settle for
seeing her wedding pictures online.”
Then there was the couple’s trip to India to help bring an
end to polio.
A debilitating disease that infects the spinal cord – causing
paralysis and potentially death – polio was once rampant
across the globe. As recently as the 1970s and ’80s, it was
prevalent in 125 countries and affected 350,000 people a
year – mostly children under the age of five. That’s when
Rotary International got involved.
A founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative, Rotary members have contributed more than
$2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect
nearly three billion children worldwide. Described as
the finest humanitarian project by a non-governmental
organization the world has ever seen, the effort to wipe
out this disease is close to being won. Polio now remains
endemic in only two countries, and the number of cases
each year has been reduced to less than 100, instead of
hundreds of thousands.
“Being part of a vaccine team in India was one of the
most rewarding experiences of our lives,” Tony said.
“Knowing that we were protecting these children from
this terrible disease… seeing the look of gratitude in the
eyes of their parents… it was very emotional.”
With a smile he added, “And with her blonde hair, Sylvia
was treated like some kind of movie star. After they
received their vaccines, all the kids wanted to have their
picture taken with her!”
20 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

y Doug Archer
THE BUCKET LIST
Tony’s work with Rotary at both the local and international
level didn’t go unnoticed. He was soon asked to take
on different roles within the organization, ultimately
leading to his nomination as a District Governor. In this
role he would be tasked with facilitating the growth of
scores of Rotary Clubs, as well as the start-up of new
ones; promoting Rotary to the world at large; and, most
importantly, inspiring and engaging Rotarians to carry
out community activities and humanitarian projects. It
was no small ask, to say the least.
“I had the desire to carry on the good work of Rotary, so
I accepted, becoming a District Governor in July 2019,”
Tony said.
He and Sylvia immediately hit the road.
“Suddenly I was responsible for 56 Rotary clubs –
extending from Tobermory down to St. Thomas and
across Lake Huron into Michigan – and more than 1,700
members,” Tony said.
The couple spent days and weeks at a time on the go,
visiting one Rotary Club after another. They met countless
people who, as Tony put it, were doing amazing things
in their communities and around the world to make life
better, such as building playgrounds and new soccer fields,
providing scholarships and leadership workshops to high
school students, raising money to ensure clean water for
people in countries such as Cameroon, and much more.
Sylvia acted as the navigator as they put on thousands of
kilometres driving throughout the district. She proofread
and reviewed Tony’s speeches, critiqued his talks at clubs,
kept notes and actions at meetings, and took photos at all
their visits.
“I couldn’t have done it without Sylvia,” Tony said. “Her
support was unwavering.”
It was during his tenure as District Governor that Tony
had one of his most memorable moments with Rotary,
when he had the privilege of attending a Rotary Youth
Did you know you
can check out...
• FISHING RODS
• SPORTS KITS
• BINOCULARS
• UKULELES
• MUSEUM PASSES
• PUZZLES
• STEM KITS
Rediscover your library!
Register for a digital access card online at getacard.brucecounty.on.ca
or visit any of our 17 branches for a full-access card.
FALL 2021 • 21

4 RETIREMENT
SAVINGS
STRATEGIES
No Matter Your
Net Worth
THE BUCKET LIST
Exchange conference in Grand Rapids. There, about 750
students from over 35 countries came together to promote
international understanding, goodwill, and peace.
SURVEY SAYS:
53% of Canadians
Don't Know How
Much to Save for
Retirement
THE VALUE OF
NAMING A
BENEFICIARY
Solutions For
Financial Planning
WWW.MANNEROW.CA
Find these articles and more on
www.mannerow.ca or
Facebook.com/MicheleMannerowCFP
Plan • Invest • Retire
Michele Mannerow CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI, FMA
Financial Advisor - Manulife Securities Incorporated
Insurance Advisor - Manulife Securities Insurance Inc.
167 - 10th Street West, Owen Sound, N4K 3R1
Branch (519) 470-2250 Direct (519) 470-PLAN (7526)
www.mannerow.ca | m.mannerow@manulifesecurities.ca
“It was truly inspirational. To see the youth of the world
sharing their diverse experiences without any issues,
or prejudice, or conflict, was beyond wonderful. The
vibrancy, enthusiasm and tolerance shown by these young
people make me believe there is hope for world peace.”
Unfortunately, midway through Tony’s term as District
Governor, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Many of
Rotary’s fundraising activities and community projects
came to a stop. Travel to countries in need also ceased.
“But community and international need didn’t stop,”
Tony said. “We were faced with how to continue. As the
saying goes, though, necessity is the mother of invention.
The Rotary Clubs in our district found a way to respond.”
They held virtual concerts and hosted online auctions to
raise money. They donned masks and established strict
distancing and sanitation protocols so that community
builds could continue. Some even purchased 3D printers
and produced COVID faceshields that were sent to
countries in need around the world.
“Overall, fundraising was down a little because of
COVID,” Tony pointed out, “but not drastically.”
The Sheards even managed to carry on with their trips
across the district… they just did them virtually.
“I was the last of what I call the Road Warrior governors
– the ones who drove around to visit all the Rotary
Clubs in the district. And I became the first of the Zoom
governors!”
A district Rotary conference scheduled for May 2020,
however, needed some major retooling in response to the
pandemic. Over a year of planning had gone into the
three-day event that would see hundreds of Rotarians
arrive in Saugeen Shores. Tony wasn’t about to let the
Coronavirus put an end to it.
“We turned it into a half-day talk show,” he said.
22 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

y Doug Archer
Everyone attended virtually. Speakers and special guests
were beamed in from across the country. Local Rotarians
even fabricated a makeshift studio set from which Tony and
the conference chair, John Conklin, coordinated the event.
Step out of
the ordinary
“We called it the John and Tony Show.”
With a theme of Rotary Connects the World, the virtual
work-around for this conference did just that. Almost
1,500 members from 14 countries attended online or
followed it on Facebook – and all of them were there to
share ideas and projects for bringing the world together.
After almost 13 years of working with Rotary, Tony
wouldn’t change a moment of it.
“It has been life-changing. Sylvia and I have had
an opportunity to make a difference not only in the
community we live in, but in the world community. And
that’s pretty special. You often hear people talk about the
power of one, but Rotary has over 1.2 million members
all wanting to improve the world. You can do so much
more good work with that strength behind you.”
To make sure that good work continues, Tony has elected
to make an endowment gift to the Rotary Foundation.
“I want the world and community changing efforts of
Rotary to continue even after Sylvia and I are gone.”
Doug Archer is a local writer and speaker who enjoys celebrating the
multi-faceted lives of the 50-plus generation. He is also the author
of two locally set mystery-adventure novels for readers aged eight to
99, because you are never too old for an adventure! Learn more at
www.coldcasekids.com or email him at archer@bmts.com.
In addition to resident artist John Laughlin,
we showcase original work by guest artists.
Gallery hourS
Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 5pm.
John Laughlin, Portrait of a Woman,
acrylic on masonite
find uS
Sign up for our monthly newsletter
on our website or our Facebook page.
We are in a historic building just a few minutes
walk from the farmer’s market in the heart of
downtown Owen Sound.
883 2nd ave e., owen Sound
226-664-2776
greygalleryowensound@gmail.com
/GGowenSound
GreyGallery.ca
FALL 2021 • 23

FINANCE
Planning for
RETIREMENT
YOUR FINANCES SHOULD TELL YOU WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT
BY MICHELE MANNEROW
24 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

y Michele Mannerow
As I sit on my deck at the cottage this weekend, waiting
for yet another storm to roll through, it’s tough not to
dream about the days when I will eventually no longer be
returning to civilization and the Monday-to-Friday grind.
You would think that retirement would be something to
which we can look forward with excited anticipation. For
some, however, that magical date seems a distant and
perhaps unnerving time. If you haven’t spent at least some
time with your family and possibly an advisor discussing,
clarifying, and planning for the future, the anxiety can be
significant.
How does someone know when they’ll be physically and
emotionally ready to walk away from what is, for many
people, a big part of their identity and even their raison
d’etre – the reason they get up in the morning?
Questions include, have I saved enough to provide for a
comfortable retirement income? How much will I be
spending in retirement? What will I do to remain active,
both physically and mentally? How will I take income from
my retirement portfolio? What other pension income am
I eligible for? Will I travel? Do I wish to volunteer, start
new or return to long-neglected hobbies? Will I continue
to work part time even if I don’t have to?
So. Many. Questions. The answers and stress relief are
there if you choose to spend some time looking for them.
I advise, guide, and then watch as my clients move into
retirement. Each situation seems slightly different than the
next, and it often takes a few years for people to become
comfortable with their circumstances. We feel around,
making adjustments to income or expenses, until suddenly
you realize the years have passed and all that planning has
indeed allowed you to live the retirement for which you
had hoped.
Three things to consider
Physical, psychological, and emotional concerns.
I call this the ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ category. Although my
job certainly doesn’t focus on this area, I have noticed
something over my 30-year career – the age of 70 seems
to be the point of no return for many. If my clients have
led a somewhat sedentary lifestyle, it seems about 70 when
• Home Support and Personal Care
• Companion and Mobility Support for
errands, outings, appointments, etc.
• Motor Vehicle Accident Recovery Support
• Caregiver Relief/Respite
No matter your age and no matter
where you are (home, hospital,
retirement residence, long term care, etc.)
we are honoured to be able to help you
519.395.3982
Toll Free:
1.855.395.3982
Bruce and Grey County,
Wellington County,
North Huron and
North Perth Counties
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
• Private Home Health Care
• Qualified, professional and compassionate
local support
• Celebrating 10 years of service
• Our caregivers live in the towns we support
all across Bruce, Grey, Northern Perth,
and Northern Huron Counties
• One on one comprehensive support for
individuals with chronic condition, effects
of aging, injury or illness.
kylie@ruralhomecare.ca
www.ruralhomecare.ca
FALL 2021 • 25

FINANCE
by Michele Mannerow
moving and keeping healthy becomes more difficult,
and their world becomes smaller. If, on the other hand,
someone has remained active, they often continue
enjoying their physical and social activities well into their
80s and 90s.
I highly recommend the book What Makes Olga Run
by Bruce Grierson. A reporter follows decathlete and
nonagenarian, Ogla, around for about five years to see
how she can still run, swim, do yoga, etc., when so many
others are either already gone or housebound. In short,
(and spoiler alert!) he basically surmises that one should
strive to do something different every day, with people
you like. You don’t have to run or lift weights, but even
playing bridge, walking or taking an art class is beneficial.
Let’s face it – there is no shortage of things around here
to keep us active and socially connected.
Retirement income. This falls a little more clearly
into my wheelhouse. Ideally 10 years (and certainly five)
before retirement, my clients begin to regularly review
their expenses to determine how they will change in
retirement. Some costs will decline, others will increase,
and some will be entirely new or gone forever. It doesn’t
have to be super specific. Armed with this information,
we can review the various pools of assets and income,
which will provide for these planned expenses.
Starting with the basics (government CPP and OAS), and
working up from there (private pensions, RRSP/RRIFs,
TFSAs, investment accounts, possible inheritances, sale
of real estate), while including reasonable long-term
inflation and investment returns, we can determine with
reasonable certainty if any revisions to expenses may be
required or if the plan has a reasonable expectation of
working over the long term.
The next step is to determine the most tax-efficient way of
both investing and generating income from the portfolio.
Do we take CPP early or delay it? Are there any plans
to work part time? How can the income be generated
while keeping an eye on the OAS clawback level? Do
dividend-paying investments belong in the RRIF, TFSA
or investment account? Should I draw from the RRIF
or investment account first or a combination of both?
How much up and down of returns am I comfortable
with and willing to accept in my portfolio throughout
my retirement? I recommend investing a portion of
the portfolio in cash or “safe” investments to keep the
retirement income going without having to draw from
investments that may drift down in value over the short
term. Our experiences of the 2008-09 and March-April
2020 market corrections have made the value of this
strategy crystal clear.
My clients and I often discuss having different “buckets”
in their portfolio. The “cash bucket” is available for the
required monthly income. The second “growth bucket”
is the investments that over time will contribute to the
cash bucket through dividends or interest. We will also
occasionally “harvest” growth or capital gains from this
bucket to replenish the cash bucket.
What options can I consider to offset the historically low
interest rates of cash, GICs and bonds? Gone are the
days when you can find a low-volatility investment that
pays anything close to a five per cent income.
How will my assets be distributed once I am
gone? Known as estate planning, the building block of
an organized estate is leaving clearly written instructions
– through your will and Powers of Attorney – and having
accounts and insurance policy beneficiary designations
that agree with the legal documents. Communicate
your wishes to your family and executors so there are
no surprises that can lead to arguments after you are
gone. I’ve recently discovered online estate organization
tools that both look at the storage and organization of
legal documents and physical assets and also recognize
the significant digital assets and accounts we have now
created. This whole digital asset category wasn’t even a
thing 10 years ago! They track and allow your executor
to shut down your social media accounts, as well as online
banking and investment accounts. Take a peek at www.
readywhen.com for more information.
The judicious use of naming a spouse or child as joint
owners of certain assets may be useful but can also
cause difficult situations that end up with a family
in court. This is one tool that must be used only after
careful consultation with a professional. Many people
will change assets to joint ownership in an effort to avoid
probate fees, yet if paying these fees (1.5% of the asset
value) means the assets are distributed to the right people,
26 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

y Michele Mannerow
FINANCE
without any court time and expense, I strongly believe
they’re worth it.
Give some thought to what you want to be left in your
estate when you are gone. Would you rather pay less tax
yourself and leave more highly taxable assets to your
estate and beneficiaries? Take minimum RRIF payments
and spend your investment or TFSA? Or would you
rather pay the tax as you go and leave almost no tax
owing and payable by your estate? I seem to be finding
that the TFSA is the favoured child (so to speak). As you
can name beneficiaries and have the account paid out
at your death with no taxes or probate fees owing, I like
to think of it as the last man standing and leave it intact
for inheritance, if at all possible. The principal residence
exemption also allows for the house to be sold with no
taxes owing. There may be probate fees owing but again,
if fees get the funds into the hands of the right people, it’s
my opinion that it’s a small price to pay.
The good news is that some time and effort can make
a world of difference in your finances and reduce your
stress levels during and after your retirement.
Oh… and the other good news? The storm has moved
on, so it’s time to hit the lake!
Michele Mannerow, CFP, RFP, CIM, FCSI, FMA, is a financial
advisor, Manulife Securities Incorporated and Life Insurance Advisor,
Manulife Securities Insurance Inc., based in Owen Sound. Visit her
online at mannerow.ca. Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are offered
through Manulife Securities Incorporated. Insurance products and
services are sold through Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. Please
confirm with your Advisor which company you are dealing with for
each of your products and services. The opinions expressed are those
of the author and may not necessarily reflect those of Manulife
Securities Incorporated or Manulife Securities Insurance Inc.
BY PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE IN
CANADA’S CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE.
brucepower.com
FALL 2021 • 27

GAME CHANGER
Joan Crowe has volunteered
with Grey Bruce Health
Services for 23 years.
28 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

A tireless
volunteer
Joan Crowe, 93, continues to volunteer
at Owen Sound Hospital during
COVID-19 pandemic
spry age 93, Joan Crowe continues to be a tireless
A volunteer at Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS)
Owen Sound Regional Hospital, which she’s been doing
for 23 years. In that time, she has logged 3,680 hours
of service, and has volunteered in day surgery, the lab
and currently serves in ambulatory care. Joan’s husband
Walter also volunteered with GBHS until his death in
2016.
Joan has continued volunteering through the Coronavirus
pandemic because she says she needed to keep her
mental health in check and she wanted to do something
useful during these challenging times. Living on her
own can be isolating and she enjoys talking to people in
ambulatory care. Some of the patients there are hoping
for a successful surgery or treatment and others are
having their final check-ups and are getting better.
“I have lived through a number of epidemics in my life,”
Joan said. “We never shut down, we got on with our lives.
If we were lucky, we didn’t get it. If we got it, we were
ill for a few days. I have never experienced anything this
serious or prolonged before.”
Joan picked up an extra volunteer shift in ambulatory
care during the pandemic so she could help where there
was a vacancy. Her family, a daughter in Waterloo who is
a doctor and her son in Toronto, are very supportive of
her volunteering. They know she needs to get out and see
people and feel useful each day.
Thank you Joan for supporting GBHS patients and staff!
Know a Game Changer in your community? Email amy@
greybruceboomers.com and tell us their story!
FALL 2021 • 29

FOOD & DRINK
Pumpkin pecan fudge
INGREDIENTS
3¾ cups granulated sugar
1 cup evaporated milk or light cream
¼ cup corn syrup
1 cup pumpkin purée
Pinch of salt
3 tbsp butter
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups toasted chopped pecans
Instructions:
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Servings: 36
Grease inside of heavy-bottomed medium saucepan; add sugar, milk,
corn syrup, pumpkin and salt, mixing until combined. Place over
medium heat and stir gently with wooden spoon until sugar is dissolved.
Then cook, without stirring, until candy thermometer registers 238 F
or soft-ball stage. Remove from heat, push butter down into mixture
without stirring.
Let stand until almost cool (140 F). Stir in vanilla and beat with wooden
spoon until starting to thicken and lose its gloss, one to two minutes.
Stir in pecans. Immediately pour into buttered 9-inch square pan. Let
cool until it begins to harden; cut into 36 squares. Makes 2¼ lbs.
Recipe courtesy of Foodland Ontario
"Build your custom home from a
choice of our four builders, with
outstanding views backing onto
the Meaford Golf Course"
Hilton
Head Heights
Hilton Lane
COMING
SOON!
ivan@arealagent.com
(519) 538-3240 ext 1003
www.arealagent.com
30 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM

Please keep pets on a leash, on the
trail, and under control at all times.
Always clean up after yourselves.
Pack out what you bring in, including
pet waste.
Keep dogs on leash.
Rediscover Responsibly
VisitGrey.ca | @visitgrey
FALL 2021 • 31

Modern Mountain Homes
are coming soon to Craigleith
with prices that are
uncommonly sensible.
Live for the
Moment
Register at CraigleithRidge.com